A RED FLAG (FIRE WEATHER) WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 10:00AM UNTIL 6:00PM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21st) FOR CHEROKEE COUNTY AND ALL OF CENTRAL ALABAMA.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED THAT WARNING FOR BREEZY AND DRY CONDITIONS – WITH WINDS NORTH 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY – AS LOW AS 30 PERCENT.
IMPACTS – A DRY AIRMASS AND WINDY CONDITIONS COMBINED WILL RESULT IN CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS. OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS INCLUDE – THE RED FLAG (FIRE WEATHER) WARNING MEANS THE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW, OR WILL SHORTLY. THAT COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.
COUNTIES AFFECTED INCLUDE MARION-LAMAR-FAYETTE-WINSTON-WALKER-BLOUNT-ETOWAH-CALHOUN-CHEROKEE-CLEBURNE-PICKENS-TUSCALOOSA-JEFFERSON-SHELBY-ST CLAIR-TALLADEGA-CLAY-RANDOLPH-SUMTER-GREENE-HALE-PERRY-BIBB-CHILTON-COOSA-TALLAPOOSA-CHAMBERS-MARENGO-DALLAS-AUTAUGA-LOWNDES-MACON-LEE-ELMORE-MONTGOMERY-BULLOCK-RUSSELL-PIKE-BARBOUR