Red Flag Warning: High Winds & No Rain Cause Fire Danger
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Brush fires are breaking out across the state, and a fire warning is in effect.
Mike Hellgren has more on the dry conditions fueling those fires.
Dry, windy conditions are the perfect recipe for disaster--with brush fires breaking out around Maryland.
Firefighters work fast to extinguish the latest brush fire in Anne Arundel County that crept dangerously close to homes on Echo Drive.
"Since Friday, we have responded to about 50 brush fires here in the county," said Michael Cox, Anne Arundel County Fire Department division chief. "This wind can help fuel a fire and make it spread rather quickly."
So far the largest brush fire in Anne Arundel County has been in the woods behind Glen Burnie Park Elementary. It burned more than five acres on Saturday. You can hear the dry underbrush crackle under your feet.
Fire crews statewide are at the ready.
Joppa, Glen Burnie and Pretty Boy Reservoir are the locations of the three biggest fires that have ignited in our area in the past three days. The most serious was in Harford County, which temporarily forced people from their homes.
"The fuel is dry. The forest floor is dry. Of course, the leaves are dry. And with warm temperatures and low relative humidity, as soon as the wind comes up if you've got any kind of source of emission you're off to the races with how fast the fire will spread," said Steve Koehn, Maryland state forester.
Most of the fires are caused by people, and the danger will continue until we get a soaking rain.
The state forester tells us that his people are at a level three readiness. That means that they are in their cars ready to go wherever they are needed when they hear of another brush fire breaking out.
