Dry grounds combined with today's low humidity and gusty winds have prompted the National Weather Service to issue an alert regarding outdoor fires.
The National Weather Service has issued a "Red Flag Warning" from 11am through 6pm today.
"It's pretty rare for us to issue these. Our fire weather season is usually pretty short," said meteorologist Jon Hitchcock.
"I'd say once every few years we have a bona fide 'Red Flag Warning' event here in Western New York."
According to the statement issued by the National Weather Service, "a Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential."
Hitchcock notes how similar conditions prevailed in the Catskills this weekend prior to a wild fire destroying several structures at a former resort area.
