Red Flag Warning Issued for Brevard County as High Fire Danger Persists Through Monday
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Brevard County due to critically low humidity and gusty winds that could lead to rapid fire spread.
Alert Details
A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Melbourne, FL. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent. The warning replaces a previous Fire Weather Watch.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following geographic regions in Florida:
- Northern Brevard Barrier Islands
- Inland Southern Brevard
- Mainland Southern Brevard
- Southern Brevard Barrier Islands
What You Should Do
Residents are advised that outdoor burning is not recommended under these conditions. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly due to the combination of wind and low humidity. Residents should exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.
Expected Conditions
- Wind: Northwest winds of 15 mph with gusts reaching up to 30 mph are expected this evening. On Monday, wind gusts are forecast to range between 20 and 25 mph.
- Humidity: Relative humidity levels will drop to near 30 percent this evening and are expected to reach approximately 25 percent on Monday.
- Fire Behavior: The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Timeline
- Current Warning: Effective immediately until midnight EST tonight, February 22.
- Extended Warning: A second Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST on Monday, February 23.
Source: NOAA Official Notice