I-95 corridor at increased wildfire risk due to drought

Windy and dry weather will prevail in the Northeast this weekend. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center warns of the increasing wildfire threat.

NEW YORK – A cold front is pushing Northeast The coast is expected to leave dry and windy conditions behind, preparing the region for a new period of increased fire risks over the weekend and prompting a state to declare a state of emergency.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center forecasts much of the I-95 corridor Washington, D.C. with Boston is at increased risk of wildfire at least through the early part of the weekend. Additionally, Fire Weather Warnings now cover all of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island through Saturday evening.

Winds are expected to reach 25-35 miles per hour in many areas, and fires could quickly get out of control due to dry vegetation.

Large areas of the Northeast have had no significant rainfall for nearly a month; This makes October one of the driest periods in history.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, 64% of the region is experiencing unusually dry conditions and 30% is officially in drought drought conditions.

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While efforts to extinguish the deadly fire in Connecticut continue, the danger of wildfire continues in the northeast

More than a dozen wildfires broke out during the workweek ConnecticutIt forces the state governor to declare a state of emergency.

“Due to the critical fire weather conditions that Connecticut continues to experience, I am declaring a state of emergency,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. he said. “This will help provide state and local emergency management officials with the necessary tools to monitor and limit the fire threat across the state.”

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the combination of dry conditions and fallen leaves created a unique fire situation.

A retired firefighter died in a fire burning near Berlin, Connecticut. hartford He was killed when his commercial duty vehicle overturned on steep, rocky terrain. Three other firefighters were also injured.

All eyes are on moisture

Could be a saving grace for fires relative humidity valuesIt is expected to remain above 30% overall through the weekend.

Humidity in the air can make fuels less flammable and fires less intense.

In the western United States, relative humidity values ​​during high fire events are often well below 20%, resulting in erratic wildfire activity.

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Trick-or-treating on shorts? MANY COUNTRIES IN THE USA HAVE HOT HALLOWEEN

Another active fire weather is expected to occur next week as temperatures reach the 70s and 80s in the coming days and hours. Halloween.

On Thursday, cities like Boston and new York Daytime temperatures are expected to be around 75 degrees, with temperatures dropping to 70 degrees after sunset, a stark contrast to the usual cold evenings.

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Cold weather is expected to move through the region at the end of the work week, bringing the best chance of precipitation in a few weeks, although precipitation amounts are expected to remain on the light side.

A significant drought impact is not likely to arrive before the start of next month, meaning threats of fire activity are likely to continue throughout the extended forecast period.