Red Flag Fire Warning Declared for Today

With sustained winds from the northwest of 20 to 30 mph, gusts up to 40 mph, and the relative humidity at about 20 percent, a Red Flag Warning was declared at 12:31 p.m. today (Monday, March 26) for most of New Jersey by the National Weather Service. The warning will remain in effect until 9 p.m.

Because of the meteorological conditions, the potential exists for rapid spread if uncontrolled fires develop. The fire danger will be elevated due to the strong wind gusts, recent lack of precipitation, low relative humidities, and dry fuels,” the weather service advised.

“A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential.”

As of 12:45 p.m., a fire that was first reported around 10 a.m. is still burning out of control in the marshland near Raritan Center in Edison. Numerous firefighters from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Edison Township and other municipalities are on the scene battling the blaze.