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National Weather Service Issues A Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch For Long Island
Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 10:41PM Weather services warn of possible fire hazards
By Chad Kushins
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), there was a “red flag warning” in effect Thursday, April 5th. The NWS issued a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday evening and all day Friday, April 6th.
The U.S. National Weather Service issues a “Red Flag Warning” when conditions are ideal for fire ignition and fire propagation. Very dry, low humidity and winds are factors that can trigger a red flag warning.
“The warning is in effect and it’s countywide,” Nick Kefalos of the Smithtown Fire Marshal’s office told Smithtown Matters. “This time of year, it’s actually very common – especially lately, due to lack of rain.”
According to Kefalos, the threat of brushfires is usually heightened due to “human error”, as residents are unaware or forgetful of the most common dangerous materials. “What we usually recommend to avoid starting what could become an actual brushfire,” said Kefalos, “is to keep an eye, particularly, on smoking materials – cigarettes that are discarded, matches, things like that. Also, with the good weather, a lot of people are out doing yard work – but it’s important that they remember that many of those chemicals, especially mulch, are highly, highly flammable.”
Kefalos continued, “We’ve had incidents right here in Smithtown where people are outside and smoking while working on their yards – and that’s a possible fire right there. With a lack of rain, like we’ve had this week, it’s an actual danger and it’s something to keep in mind.”
Today’s current “red flag warning” comes only one week after a similar countywide warning, issued on March 27th for both Long Island and New York City. That warning, which resulted in one reported brushfire, located in a wooded area near the Suffolk County Fire Academy and the Long Island Compost facility in Yaphank. Thanks to its unique location near the fire academy, the fire was quickly extinguished. The “red flag warning” was later lifted by 6:00pm that night.
Although the previous warning was lifted in less than 24 hours, today’s “red flag” continues, “Similar conditions are expected tomorrow and Saturday.”
Information on brushfire warnings and emergency contacts are available on the Suffolk County Fire Marshal’s official website:
http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/FireRescueandEmergencyServices/FireMarshalsOffice.aspx
In addition, their office can be reached at 631-853-5593.
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