Fire warning for 5 counties in New Jersey until Saturday evening

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning at 10:39 a.m. Saturday in effect for Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Essex and Union counties until 7 p.m.

Winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour are forecast from the northwest with gusts up to 30 miles per hour and relative humidity of just 24 percent.

“Fire spreads quickly when ignited,” adds the weather service.

What does a red flag warning mean?

A red flag warning indicates that extreme fire weather conditions are either currently occurring or will occur soon, according to the weather service. Warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds are expected to combine to create an increased risk of rapid fire spread.

So what steps should you follow if you receive an alert?

A red flag warning requires vigilance and immediate readiness to respond to possible fires. The Weather Service provides these important guidelines to minimize fire risks and ensure your safety:

1. Secure burning barrels:

• If burning is permitted in your area, make sure all burning barrels have a weighted metal cover with holes no larger than 3/4 inch.

2. Careful handling of smoking materials:

• Never throw away lit cigarette butts outdoors or throw cigarettes or matches from a moving vehicle. These seemingly small actions can cause dry grass to ignite, potentially starting a wildfire.

3. Prudent firefighting practices:

• To prevent accidental fires, carefully extinguish all outdoor fires. Smother them with plenty of water and stir to ensure complete cooling. Submerge charcoal in water until heat is no longer present. Never leave glowing charcoal unattended.

4. Never leave fire unattended:

• Avoid leaving the fire unattended. Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, starting a fire that spreads quickly.

To reduce the risk of wildfires in these dangerous conditions, it is critical to understand the severity of an alert and follow these precautions. Prioritize safety, stay informed and act responsibly to protect life and property.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.