Elevated fire danger in parts of Pennsylvania until Friday evening
The National Weather Service issued a Friday morning alert for elevated wildfire risk across several western and central Pennsylvania counties through 6 p.m.
A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Friday at 6:50 a.m. for elevated fire danger until 6 p.m. for Westmoreland Ridges, Fayette Ridges and Higher Elevations of Indiana as well as Mercer, Venango, Forest, Lawrence, Butler, Clarion, Jefferson, Beaver, Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, Greene, Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties.
"The combination of marginally dry and breezy conditions will create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across most of central Pennsylvania once again today. Minimum relative humidity values will be between 25 and 35% over the bulk of the region, though rain sneaking into northwest PA may limit those humidity drops to the 40% range. Wind gusts will be from the south to southwest between 15 and 25 mph with an occasional 30 mph gust in higher terrain locations between noon and 5pm EDT. Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have the potential to spread rapidly," says the weather service.