CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Brush fires in Massachusetts have become a common sight in the fall. Red Flag Warnings have been active multiple times this month because of the elevated risk.
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A Red Flag Warning is an alert for conditions that are unfavorable for prescribed burns and may lead to dangerous wildfire growth. For a warning to be issued there needs to be ten-hour fuels of 8% or less. This is for small vegetation where it will take ten hours to respond to dry/wet conditions or changes in those conditions.
It essentially means that this vegetation is holding less than 8% water, so it ignites easier, and spreads quickly. Also, Relative Humidity must be less than 25% for several hours. This depicts how much water is in the air, relative to the temperature of the air.
Lastly, there will be sustained winds 20 feet off of the ground of at least 15MPH for several hours. Red Flag Warnings usually occur in the Spring and Fall seasons, between February 15th – April 30th, and October 1st – December 15th.