The National Weather Service in Gaylord has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of northern Michigan until 8pm EDT. Due to winds around 10 to 20 mph, gusting to 30, Humidity around 30-40 percent, and temperatures soaring into the 90’s, its no wonder that fires are going to be a problem if ignited.
The National Weather Service defines a Red Flag Warning as meaning, warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
To avoid the risk of an out of control fire happening, here are a few tips to keep the flames at bay.
-If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
-Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire.
-Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
-Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.