INCREASED FIRE DANGER UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING INCREASED FIRE DANGER FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING

Dry and very gusty conditions are expected to continue this
afternoon. Relative humidity of 20 to 30% across the low terrain
and mountain valleys will combine with winds gusts as high as 30
mph and very dry fine fuels to enhance the fire danger across the
area. The strongest winds and driest conditions are expected
across the foothills and portions of the adjacent mountains, where
a Red Flag Warning is in effect.

Wednesday will again be very dry, with minimum relative humidity
in the 15-20% range expected across much of the area during the
afternoon. While winds are not forecast to be as strong as today,
gusts of 20 to 25 mph will still be possible during the afternoon,
continuing the enhanced fire danger conditions.

A statewide outdoor burn ban remains in place for North Carolina.