By: Jeff Morris | Posted: April 12, 2018 | Source: WVAH
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — The National Weather Service in Charleston issued a red flag warning in multiple West Virginia counties, including Kanawha, Putnam and Cabell, about the danger of fire spreading due to the dry and windy conditions.
With winds expected at 15 to 25 mph and gusting up to 40 mph, the warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, the weather service said.
Counties in West Virginia under the warning include Kanawha, Putnam, Cabell, Mason, Jackson, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Lincoln, Roane, Wirt, Calhoun, Ritchie, Doddridge, Mingo, Logan, Boone, Clay, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Harrison, Taylor, McDowell, Wyoming, Upshur, Barbour, northwest Raleigh, southeast Raleigh, northwest Fayette, southeast Fayette, northwest Nicholas, southeast Nicholas, northwest Webster, southeast Webster, northwest Pocahontas, southeast Pocahontas, northwest Randolph and southeast Randolph.
Kentucky counties under the warning include Greenup, Carter, Boyd and Lawrence.
The weather service said outdoor burning is not recommended because any fires that develop will likely spread quickly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
The warning about the danger of outdoor burning comes at a time when limits are already in place for forest fire season, which started March 1 and runs through May 31. No burning is currently allowed between 7 a.m. through 5 p.m., and all fires are to be extinguished by 7 a.m., according to information from Kanawha County Emergency Management. A 10-foot safety strip should be placed around outdoor fires, and it is against the law to leave a fire unattended.
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