Red flag warning issued for large portion of Florida. What does it mean?

Cheryl McCloud, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·3 min read
3

Red flag warning issued for Florida's east coast, central inland counties

3:55 a.m.: A red flag warning has been issued for east central Florida from noon through 7 p.m.

A red flag warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.

A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to "extreme fire behavior," according to the National Weather Service.

Any new or existing fires will be capable of spreading rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.Winds will be out of the to southwest at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 30-35 mph. Humidity may be as low as 35%, and temperatures will range from the upper 80s to lower 90s.

A red flag warning has been issued for the areas in pink until 7 p.m. March 3, 2023.
A red flag warning has been issued for the areas in pink until 7 p.m. March 3, 2023.

Areas included in the warning are:

  • Coastal Indian River

  • Coastal St. Lucie

  • Coastal Volusia

  • Inland Indian River

  • Inland Martin

  • Inland Northern Brevard

  • Inland Southern Brevard

  • Inland St. Lucie

  • Inland Volusia

  • Mainland Northern Brevard

  • Mainland Southern Brevard

  • Northern Brevard Barrier Islands

  • Northern Lake County

  • Okeechobee

  • Orange

  • Osceola

  • Seminole

  • Southern Brevard Barrier Islands

  • Southern Lake County

EARLIER STORY

A fire weather watch has been issued for a large portion of Florida's East Coast and inland counties.

The watch is in effect from noon Friday through 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service Melbourne issued the watch, saying "critical" fire weather conditions are forecast, including dry vegetation, gusty winds and low humidity.

No rain: Noticed no rainfall in Naples last month? NWS confirms driest February since 1949

Sargassum seaweed:Huge seaweed blob on way to Florida is 'like a Stephen King movie'

Red tide in Florida: 9 things you should know about the microscopic algae with big impact

What counties are included in the fire weather watch?

The watch area includes: Inland Volusia, northern Lake, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Okeechobee, coastal Volusia, southern Lake, coastal Indian River, coastal St. Lucie, coastal Martin, inland northern Brevard, inland Indian River, inland St. Lucie, inland Martin, mainland northern Brevard, northern Brevard barrier islands, inland southern Brevard, mainland southern Brevard and southern Brevard barrier islands.

Key points about the Florida fire watch

  • When: Noon Friday through 7 p.m. Friday

  • Winds: 15-20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph

  • Humidity: as low as 30%

  • Temperatures: in the mid 80s

  • Impacts: Any new or existing fires will be capable of spreading rapidly

What is a fire weather watch?

A fire weather watch is issued when the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger. A watch is issued up to 72 hours before the conditions are expected to occur.

What is a red flag warning?

A red flag warning is issued under the same conditions as a fire weather watch but when the conditions are expected to occur or are occurring within the next 24 hours.

Are there any burn bans in effect in Florida?

There currently are no county-enacted burn bans in effect, according to the Florida Forest Service.

Burning of yard debris is always prohibited in these counties: Duval, Hillsborough, Orange, Pinellas and Sarasota.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Red flag warning issued for east central Florida. Fire conditions dangerous