Relative Humidity values will lower to between 28 to 35 percent through early this afternoon, before gradually recovering through early this evening. Light southwest winds will increase from 8 to 12 mph, with gusts of around 20 mph this afternoon. This combination of gusty winds and lower relative humidity will bring an increased threat of wildfire activity today, Monday, November 6, 2023.
THE FALL FIRE SEASON FOR THE STATE OF OHIO IS DURING THE MONTHS OF OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. FROM OCTOBER 1ST THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH, ALL OUTDOOR BURNING IS PROHIBITED BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6AM AND 6PM. FALL IS A DANGEROUS TIME FOR FOREST FIRES IN OHIO AS OFTEN WARM, AND SOMETIMES DRY AND WINDY WEATHER, COMBINES WITH FALLEN LEAVES AND DYING DEBRIS, TO CREATE AN ENHANCED FIRE DANGER.
ALL BURNING BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6AM AND 6PM, OR UNDER EXTREMELY DRY OR WINDY CONDITIONS, SHOULD BE AVOIDED. WHEN BURNING DEBRIS, SUPERVISE ALL FIRES UNTIL THEY ARE COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED, KEEP A RAKE, SHOVEL, AND A WATER SOURCE SUCH AS A HOSE NEARBY IN CASE THE FIRE DOES ESCAPE. ALSO, CREATE A 10 FOOT PERIMETER AROUND THE FIRE SO THAT IT DOES NOT SPREAD AWAY FROM YOU. IN ADDITION, CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED TO PREVENT FIRES, SUCH AS AVOIDING SMOKING OUTDOORS IN FIRE PRONE AREAS, TAKING CARE TO PREVENT SPARKS FROM EQUIPMENT OR MACHINERY FROM TRIGGERING FIRE STARTS, AND EDUCATING CHILDREN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF PLAYING WITH FIRE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OHIO FIRE LAWS CONTACT THE OHIO DIVISION OF FORESTRY OR YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IF A FIRE DOES ESCAPE FROM YOU, CALL 9-1-1.