The National Weather Service issued an updated red flag warning at 3:09 a.m. Saturday for Middlesex, Monmouth, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Ocean and Atlantic counties, effective from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Winds are expected to be northwesterly at 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph and relative humidity as low as 29 percent.

“The combination of very dry conditions, low relative humidity, and high winds will create favorable conditions for fires to spread rapidly. Any fire that develops, especially in the Pine Barrens region of New Jersey, may become difficult to control,” he explains. weather service.

What is the importance of a red flag warning?

A red flag warning indicates that extreme fire weather conditions are currently occurring or will occur soon, according to the weather service. High temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds are expected to combine to increase the risk of rapid fire spread.

So what are the recommended precautions to be taken during a red flag warning?

A red flag warning requires alertness and immediate readiness to respond to possible fires. The weather service provides these vital guidelines to minimize fire hazards and ensure your safety:

1. Secure burn barrels:

• If burning is allowed near you, make sure all burn barrels have a weighted metal lid with holes no larger than 3/4 inch.

2. Careful use of smoking materials:

• Avoid throwing lit cigarette butts haphazardly and throwing cigarettes or matches from moving vehicles. These seemingly harmless actions can ignite dry vegetation and potentially cause a wildfire.

3. Prudent fire extinguishing practices:

• To prevent accidental fires, extinguish all outdoor fires with care. Drown them in plenty of water and stir to ensure complete cooling. Immerse the coal in water until its heat disappears completely. Never leave live coal unattended.

4. Never put out the fire:

• Avoid leaving any fire unattended. Even small parks or embers can ignite a fire that can spread rapidly into leaves or grass.

Understanding the seriousness of a red flag warning and complying with these precautions is crucial to preventing wildfires during these dangerous conditions. Prioritize safety, stay perfectly informed, and take responsibility for protecting lives and property.

Enhanced Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.