Fire warning for 12 counties in Massachusetts on Saturday

At 6:56 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning, effective for Saturday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., for northern Worcester and southern Worcester as well as Franklin, Middlesex, Essex, Hampshire, Hampden, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties.

Expect westerly winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph and relative humidity as low as 40 percent.

“If a fire breaks out, it starts quickly and spreads quickly. Burning outdoors is not recommended,” comments the weather service.

What is the meaning of a warning message?

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 actions are required when a warning occurs?

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. Bolster Burn Barrel Safety:

• In areas where controlled burning is permitted, ensure burn barrels have a heavy metal cover with holes no larger than 3/4 inch.

2. Careful disposal 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 a fire:

• Do not leave a fire unattended. Even small coals or embers can get into leaves or grass and start a fire that can spread 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.