St. Johns County is expecting near record heat through the weekend, ahead of Sunday evening’s cold front.
According to Ben Nelson, senior meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, rain is not in the forecast.
With strong winds expected on Monday, April 20, drought conditions are expected to worsen.
“High temperatures will soar between 90 and 95 degrees through Sunday, with temperatures at coastal locations ranging in the mid- to upper 80s due to a cool afternoon sea breeze,” he told the St. Augustine Record via email. “Humidity levels will remain seasonably low.”
Nelson said that strong northeasterly wind gusts on Monday could reach above 30 mph during the afternoon.
“These strong winds could result in a rapid spreading of existing or new wildfires,” he said. “Residents are urged to take steps to make prepare their property for wildfires.”
Nelson underscored the importance of creating a “defensible” space around homes and businesses.
More information on becoming “Firewise” can be obtained from the National Fire Protection Association.
“Drought conditions are not likely to improve until the summer’s rainy season, which begins on Memorial Day,” Nelson said. “We will likely enter our rainy season at a Level 4 drought measure.”
Nelson added that increased lightning strikes can ignite additional wildfires.
“At our designated climate site in Jacksonville, the past 6 months have been the driest on record since at least 1872,” he said.
Fire weather red flag warnings: critical wildfire risk
St. Johns County Emergency Management is warning residents to heed red flag warnings for fire weather.
“A red flag warning for fire weather means conditions are ideal for rapid wildfire growth and spread,” the county said in a news release.
Key risk factors for wildfire risk include low humidity, strong winds and dry vegetation.
“A single spark can turn into a fast-moving brush fire,” said Michelle Maylon, Forestry Supervisor for the Florida Forest Service. “That spark can come from something small — yard debris, tossed cigarettes, equipment sparks, or even dragging trailer chains on the road.”
St. Johns County Emergency Management is urging residents to take extra precautions as extreme drought and elevated wildfire risk increases the threat of dangerous conditions across Northeast Florida.
For more information, go to at https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/preparing-homes-for-wildfire.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Johns County faces extreme wildfire risk as heat, drought worsen
Reporting by Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record / St. Augustine Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
