Dry air, breezy winds and plentiful dry grass, leaves and twigs are creating conditions ripe for fires across much of Maine, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters said Saturday that in southern and western sections of the state, humidity levels are expected to drop to between 20% and 30%, while winds of 5 to 15 mph — with gusts up to 20 mph — will continue to dry fuels and increase the risk of fire spread.
In eastern and northern areas, humidity is forecast to fall between 25% and 35%, with northwest winds gusting 20 to 25 mph, adding to the risk. The strongest gusts are expected in Aroostook County.
Winds are forecast to ease later in the evening as humidity increases, lowering the fire risk.
Officials urged Mainers to use caution with outdoor burning. They advised residents to check with local fire officials before burning, never leave an open fire unattended and fully extinguish campfires before leaving.
Meanwhile, the weather service issued a freeze warning for northern Maine from midnight Saturday until 8 a.m. Sunday, with temperatures expected to dip into the upper 20s.
A frost advisory was also posted for central and Down East Maine during the same time frame, where temperatures are expected to fall into the low 30s.
