Murphy, NC – The National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee has issued a Special Weather Statement warning of increased fire danger for Cherokee and Clay counties in southwest North Carolina on Wednesday, October 22.
Forecasters say a dry, breezy air mass will move in behind a departing cold front, leading to conditions favorable for rapid fire spread. Relative humidity values are expected to drop to between 30 and 35 percent, with wind gusts of 15 to 20 mph during the afternoon.
These conditions, combined with ongoing dryness, will create an elevated risk of brush and grass fires throughout the region.
The NWS advises residents to check with local burn permitting authorities before lighting any fires and to use extreme caution if burning outdoors. Even small fires can quickly get out of control under these weather conditions.
Winds are expected to diminish late Wednesday night, with slightly higher humidity returning Thursday as temperatures moderate.
