Pittsburgh, PA – Portions of eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and extreme southwestern Pennsylvania face an elevated fire weather threat on Wednesday, March 19, due to dry conditions, low humidity, and gusty winds.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, sustained winds from the south at 15-20 mph, with gusts reaching 35 mph, combined with humidity levels between 20-30% and low fuel moisture, create favorable conditions for rapid fire spread. The area of highest concern includes Cambridge and New Philadelphia, OH, Wheeling, WV, and Fairmont, WV.
Officials warn that these conditions, particularly in areas with limited recent rainfall, increase the risk of wildfires. Residents are urged to avoid open burning and follow local fire regulations. Fire safety precautions such as clearing debris around outdoor heat sources, properly extinguishing smoking materials, and avoiding parking on dry grass are recommended.
The fire weather threat is expected to persist through Wednesday evening, with potential improvements by Thursday as humidity levels rise. For updates, residents can visit weather.gov/pittsburgh.
