Conditions ripe for fires in parts of Alabama today
Today is not the day to do any outdoor burning, according to forecasters.
The National Weather Service is warning that conditions will be ripe for wildfires today across the southern half of the state, and red flag warnings will be in effect.
The counties in pink will be under red flag warnings for elevated fire conditions.
According to the weather service a red flag warning is issued when conditions favorable for fires are expected. The weather service says any fires that develop could spread rapidly, and outdoor burning is not recommended.
The combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior, according to forecasters.
Humidity levels are expected to be as low as 15 percent in parts of Alabama today, and winds will be out of the north at 10-15 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph, according to the weather service.
A cold front moved through on Friday and brought drier air to the state. And drought conditions are expanding across Alabama, according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, which shows most of the state either in drought or on the verge of drought:
Most of Alabama is now either in drought or about to be.
The weather service has also issued a fire weather watch for Sunday for part of south and central Alabama. A fire weather watch is issued when critical fire weather conditions are expected.
The Alabama counties under a red flag warning for Saturday are: Choctaw, Washington, Clarke, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw, Escambia, Covington, Mobile, Baldwin, Marengo, Dallas, Lowndes, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Lee, Russell, Pike, Barbour, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Chilton, Coosa, Autauga and Elmore.
The red flag warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., according to the weather service.