National Weather Service: Beware of elevated fire risk throughout much of Virginia

There is an elevated threat for rapid fire spread this afternoon, according to a special weather statement issued by the U.S. National Weather Service.

The threat area includes the counties of Augusta, Rockingham, Highland, Nelson, Albemarle, Greene, Madison, Orange, Culpeper, Shenandoah, Page, Frederick, Clarke, Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Arlington, Fauquier, Warren and Rappahannock and surrounding cities.

The combination of west winds gusting 20 to 30 miles per hour, relative humidity falling to 20 to 30 percent and drying fine fuels this afternoon will lead to the elevated threat for rapid fire spread.

Before burning, NWS recommends checking with local burn-permitting authorities on any potential bans.

If you do burn, NWS recommends using extreme caution since fires can increasingly escalate under these conditions.

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