National Weather Service ‘fire weather’ concerns across NEPA

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a “Special Weather Statement” for “fire weather” concerns across NEPA on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, April 23, the NWS issued a “Special Weather Statement regarding fire weather concerns at 11:42 a.m. for the following counties:

• Bradford
• Lackawanna
• Luzerne
• Pike
• Susquehanna
• Wayne
• Wyoming

According to the NWS, conditions will be dry with gusts of winds across the area. During the afternoon, “minimus relative humidity values will drop as low as 20 percent in some areas,” with wind gusts from 20 to 30 mph, officials added.

The NWS says that due to the wet spring season, things such as dead grass and leaf litter, dry out quickly in these weather conditions. Officials say i f dry grass and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have the potential to spread rapidly, making it much harder for firefighters to contain.

The NWS urges residents to use caution while handling any ignition sources, for example, machinery, cigarettes, or matches.

For more information about the dangers of wildfires and how to prevent them visit the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resouces (DCNR) website .

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