Fire Weather Watch Posted for Berkshire County
Low humidity and gusty winds forecast Tuesday are a recipe for disaster. The Weather Service is predicting "critical fire weather conditions."
It's a continuation of this year's wonky winter weather that saw temperatures in the 80s last week as a strong warm front moved through the area. But the cold came back Sunday and temperatures are expected to plummet into the teens Monday night and the 20s on Tuesday. That could damage budding plants tricked by last week's balmy temperatures.
And, with little snow and dry ground, all of Berkshire County and much of eastern New York and Southern Vermont are in danger of grass and brush fires.
A number of brush fires have already occurred over the past week in Western and central Massachusetts. FireGround360° reported calls on seven different brush fires on Monday alone, including one on Greylock Road in Cheshire in the afternoon. A large brush fire ignited by yard burning was contained in Savoy last week; on Monday night, several fire companies were battling a blaze near Richmond Pond.
There may be some relief — at least for the dry conditions. By Wednesday, precipitation will move into the region with chances of snow, rain or sleet.
But that's expected to be less than an inch, so even if it's traditionally burning season, you should check with your local fire department before lighting up.
Below is a link to the Richmond fire photo.
I posted a new photo to Facebook fb.me/E7DKx2oZ
— FIREGROUND360° (@FIREGROUND360) March 27, 2012
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