Greenville, South Carolina – Dry air and powerful winds will create explosive fire conditions across the Carolinas and northeast Georgia Saturday, prompting a Red Flag Warning that stretches from the North Carolina mountains through the Upstate of South Carolina and into parts of Georgia.
Strong northeast winds and extremely dry air will combine to make any spark capable of spreading quickly, especially in wooded areas and grassy fields that have dried out in recent days. Gusts could reach 35 to 40 mph, creating conditions where fires can rapidly grow and move unpredictably.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, the Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 8 a.m. Saturday through 11 p.m. Saturday. Relative humidity could fall as low as 13 to 14 percent, while steady winds between 10 and 25 mph increase the risk for fast-moving wildfires.
The warning covers much of western and central North Carolina, including Asheville, Hendersonville, Boone, Charlotte, and surrounding foothill communities. Counties such as Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Catawba, Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Union are included.
Across Upstate South Carolina, the alert includes Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Greenwood, Cherokee, York, and Laurens counties. Portions of northeast Georgia, including Habersham, Rabun, and Stephens counties, are also under the warning.
Emergency officials strongly discourage any outdoor burning Saturday, including debris piles or campfires. Even small sparks from equipment, cigarettes, or vehicles could ignite grass and brush.
Residents should secure trailer chains, avoid parking on dry grass, and report smoke immediately. Fire officials warn that once a fire starts under these conditions, it can spread rapidly before crews can contain it.
Dangerous fire conditions are expected to ease Saturday night as humidity slowly rises, though dry fuels could keep fire risk elevated into early next week if winds persist.
