Harrisonburg, VA – Residents across the Shenandoah Valley and the eastern West Virginia Panhandle are urged to use caution Wednesday as the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, the alert covers parts of Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren, Clarke, Hampshire, and Hardy counties, where gusty southwest winds, very low humidity, and dry fuels could quickly turn any spark into a fast-moving wildfire.
Forecasters say winds may reach 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, while relative humidity could drop as low as 20 percent — creating ideal conditions for fire spread.
Officials warn that “any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly,” and advise against outdoor burning, including campfires, debris burns, or use of equipment that could produce sparks.
The Red Flag Warning emphasizes the risk of extreme fire behavior due to the combination of dry vegetation, warm temperatures, and strong winds. Fire departments across the region are preparing for potentially dangerous wildfire conditions throughout the day Wednesday.
For updated fire weather alerts and safety tips, visit weather.gov/lwx/fire.
