Dry Air, Gusty Winds Create High Risk of Fire

The Easter Weekend forecast looks be sunny and mild with a warning about a high fire risk for most of the state.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning in effect until 7 p.m. Saturday as the air is extremely dry with winds gusting to 15 mph creating ideal conditions for the rapid spread of fire. The warning is in effect for the southern and central areas of New Hampshire except for right along the immediate coast.

Interior areas of Maine away from the coast are under an Enhanced Fire Danger as there will lower wind gusts but the same fire fire growth potential.

"A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior," read the warning.

Fire officials warn against outdoor fires, flicking cigarettes out of car windows and to make sure charcoal from outdoor grills are disposed of properly.

"The dry ground, the brush, we're pre-green in a lot of spots. If there were to be a fire today it can move very fast," WMUR meteorologist Hayley LaPoint said during her forecast.

The same conditions could be in place for Sunday.

Five people have died in house fires in New Hampshire this year, according to the state fire marshal.

The forecast calls for sunny skies both Saturday and Sunday with temperatures in the upper 40s on Saturday and mid 50s on Sunday. Saturday night will be clear with temperatures dropping to the low 20s.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH