Red Flag Fire Warning Continues Monday

Update, Monday 10:20 a.m. The red flag warning will continue Monday until 8 p.m. across the metro area and large portions of Maryland and Virginia. Critical fire conditions are present, said the National Weather Service. The NWS warns that there is potential for rapid spread of any uncontrolled brush or wildland fires. 

Winds from the west will blow between 15-25 mph, with occasional gusts up to 35 mph. 

Update, Sunday 11 a.m. The red flag warning continues from noon until 8 p.m. today for Northern Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, Eastern West Virginia and most of Maryland. A fire weather watch is in effect for Monday morning until Monday evening.  

Original story:

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a red flag warning on Saturday, saying that critical fire weather conditions were likely to occur between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The warning is in effect for the entire metropolitan area. The NWS has also issued a fire weather watch for Sunday morning through Sunday evening. This means that critical fire conditions are forecast to occur then.

The forecast for Saturday predicts 20 to 30 percent humidity until late evening, and again on Sunday from late morning to early Sunday evening. The forecast also calls for northwest winds between 15 and 20 mph. There may also be gusts up to 30 mph. Fuel moisture is about 5 to 6 percent.

The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create "explosive fire growth potential," the NWS said.