The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch across parts of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, including Washington, Richmond, and Baltimore, due to gusty, dry winds expected to arrive on Wednesday. This has led to elevated fire danger warnings, with red flag warnings issued for Virginia and other areas indicating a critical fire danger from 10 am to 8 pm. Local authorities have advised against any outdoor burning, highlighting the risk of rapid fire spread due to the dry conditions, low humidity levels, and strong gusty winds, with gusts up to 40mph possible. Multiple brush fires have erupted across the Washington region and to the west, leading to smoky air conditions. The largest fires have been reported in the Shenandoah Valley, where wind gusts of 40-60 mph are contributing to the fire's growth. Firefighting efforts are underway, with no reported injuries or threats to structures so far. A First Alert Weather Day has been issued due to the critical fire danger.
We had wind gusts in the 50-60mph range for some yesterday causing more brush fires to spread rapidly. Today the wind will continue to diminish into the single digit to teen mile per hour range, but the dry conditions will persist. https://t.co/0ka9YbC2Mi
Brush fires threaten homes in DC metro area https://t.co/2QMYFu9Rzt
Update large brush fire Rock Creek Park vicinity Carter Barron Amphitheater. Wetting down hotspots. Additional units being used to relieve initial companies. No injuries. #DCsBravest https://t.co/Q5rRvHd6Yr
Update large brush fire Rock Creek Park vicinity Carter Barron amphitheater. Perimeter established and most visible fire extinguished. Working to confine hotspots. No injuries & no structures threatened. Approx 3 acres involved. Several more units assisting. #DCsBravest https://t.co/8YICiw7ciI
Grateful for #DCsBravest, who are responding to this brush fire by the Carter Barron parking lot in Rock Creek Park tonight. There is a Red Flag Warning for the entire DC region due to the extreme risk for fires caused by heavy winds. Keep an eye out for updates from @dcfireems: https://t.co/7XfYILaqs4
Large brush fire vicinity of 18th St & Colorado Ave NW. Currently operating with 3 engines, brush unit, & Battalion Chief as incident commander. #DCsBravest
BRUSH FIRE NEAR CARTER BARRON: 18th & Colorado Ave. N.W. @dcfireems on scene of a brush fire in the wooded area. First Due Engine Company requested for additional resources. Brush Truck has been added with more man power. This is the first significant brush for D.C. today. https://t.co/ixYM1ucqi8
Shenandoah brush fires cause smoky smell, hazy conditions across DMV https://t.co/pyL1Z8cCME
Smelling smoke?🔥 LOTS of small- to medium-sized wildfires fanning smoke across the DMV this evening, especially from D.C. south to the Rappahannock region. The largest are in the Shenandoah Valley, where winds of 40-60 mph are helping fires grow. Several near I-95 as well. https://t.co/li88Bry3m7
There is now an extreme risk of outdoor fires developing and spreading rapidly. Please avoid use of any open flame or cooking outdoors or on balconies and wooden decks. Discard smoking materials in proper receptacles. #DCsBravest https://t.co/LvFwdRSrt4 https://t.co/oPe3on3bpa
BREAKING: Multiple brush fires have erupted in Washington region (including Fairfax, Montgomery, Howard and Prince William co) and to the west, leading to smoky air, fanned by strong winds. What we know and why this is happening ⬇️ https://t.co/KBTv3BKzOH
3/20 (6PM): DC residents may see/smell the results of brush fires in Northern VA, but no direct impact to DC at this time. Reminder: @NWS_BaltWash issued a Fire Weather Watch for DC through 8PM. Dispose of cigarettes appropriately & avoid open outdoor flames where possible.
Brush fires this afternoon even reported in western Montgomery County and near Columbia in Howard County. It's very dry and wind gusts 30 to 45 mph in region. Toward western Virginia, where fires are swarming, gusts 40 to 60 mph. https://t.co/6voZEdIo2S
Winds gusts in Virginia are currently 45MPH+ Multiple small fires across the state have grown into decent sized incidents. Resources continue to respond to these new starts. #wildfire #vafire #vawx https://t.co/wJy0SCpv5C
DMV gang — red flag warning has been expanded now to include the District and most of our viewing area. That means no outdoor burning. Gusty NW winds behind a dry cold front AND dry air coming down the mountains could support rapid spread if a fire gets ignited. 🔥 https://t.co/qgNJegZ1ld https://t.co/bqTNwicr4w
Dry, warm and windy weather is making for dangerous fire weather concerns across the Mid-Atlantic. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our full fire weather briefing in the @MyRadarWX app AND give Peter’s feed a follow. He’s on the scene of a Virginia fire right now: https://t.co/2gzFDVxYoc https://t.co/lQyQAp5xXU
The High Fire Danger remains this evening and into tomorrow. #cltwx #ncwx #scwx #wcnc https://t.co/tiaDSEdYKG
The Red Flag Warning has been expanded to include the Washington Metropolitan area and a High Wind Warning is in effect for portions of the Shenandoah Valley. https://t.co/V0lC5tX87H
Montgomery County Fire is warning of the potential for more brush fires as a fire weather watch remains in effect for parts of the D.C. area. https://t.co/Uji8sn1XHC
Please dispose of smoking materials in proper receptacles and avoid open flame outside. Conditions are ripe for outdoor fires to ignite and spread quickly. #DCsBravest https://t.co/bRo0ipFbUA
DC's far western areas (western Loudoun and Frederick counties) under a wind advisory this afternoon for gusts to 40 to 50 mph. Red flag warning for dangerous fire weather Prince William and Fauquier counties and S & W. Around DC, gusts to 30 to 40 mph but no advisory/warning. https://t.co/IIfYW47A2M
🔥 Dry and blustery conditions will present an elevated risk of wildfires today in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Red flag warnings are in effect for some. MyRadar meteorologist @MatthewCappucci has a quick update. https://t.co/krTaQ8DNwa
What's on Bloomberg Green's weather radar today? Red flag fire warnings for Virginia https://t.co/IRRkDt8wtK
Today's wind gets quite strong, while the humidity stays low. This will fuel a brush fire threat. The wind gradually backs down later this week, as rain chances rise late Friday into Saturday. https://t.co/zE7Dg65QOt
⚠️ Windy Wednesday: Powerful wind gusts and low humidity will elevate the risk of fire danger in parts of the D.C. area today. Here's what to know about the red flag warning. https://t.co/wRfU2I6SIF https://t.co/jKHKdma92u
Along with Wednesday being the warmest day of the week, a "fire weather watch" is in effect due to dry brush, low humidity levels, and gusty winds. https://t.co/yEZZIQPNeJ
Red Flag warning for all of Central Virginia today.. It goes into effect at 10am and lasts until 8pm. No burning today! Look at those gusty winds this afternoon, up to 40mph possible. https://t.co/8rHnw3osju #8News #RVA #RVAWX #VAWX https://t.co/bEKORiuc3E
D.C.-area forecast: Warmer today with a gusty afternoon breeze and fire risk https://t.co/O02bzNa7lW
Red Flag Warning today from 10 am to 8pm. I have all you need to know on Good Morning Richmond and at https://t.co/8rHnw3osju #8News #RVA #RVAWX #VAWX https://t.co/zJ6WXdZDxB
We've gone ahead and issued a First Alert Weather Day today because of the critical fire danger. The NWS has issued a Red Flag Warning east of the Blue Ridge because of the fire danger. We have dry conditions, low humidity levels & a strong gusty wind leading to the danger. https://t.co/qql5uhXTQF
Fire Weather Alerts continue today. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning east of the Blue Ridge today. A Red Flag Warning means there is a critical fire danger across the region. DO NOT burn anything outside today. https://t.co/KzB6w2e9I1
Not quite as cold tonight and much warmer on Wednesday. Fire weather concerns continue Wednesday with gusty winds and low Relative Humidity values. Check with local authorities and use extra caution if burning. #ncwx #scwx #gawx https://t.co/DUuyP6Gnri
PM Update: Warmer Wednesday, with an elevated wildfire threat https://t.co/g1JNKUC1JM
Elevated fire danger for the next few days. #wncwx #wildfire https://t.co/pInCUXyCwf
DC area is under a fire weather watch on Wednesday. What does this mean and is it unusual? We have answers ⬇️ https://t.co/t4t08mF7JC
DC area is under a fire weather watch on Wednesday What does this mean and is it unusual? We have answers ⬇️ https://t.co/t4t08mEzU4
What's on Bloomberg Green's radar today? Gusty, dry winds set to arrive Wednesday have sparked fire weather watch across parts of the Midwest and Mid Atlantic, including Washington, Richmond and Baltimore, the National Weather Service said https://t.co/n5XkSuLg3O