Meteorologists reveal there will be more wildfires than normal in 10 US states by 2024… is YOUR city at risk?

Meteorologists have released a new map warning residents of ten US states that they are at a higher-than-normal risk of wildfires.

These states, all in the Northeast, received a warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) that low humidity and gusty winds have increased the risk of wildfires.

The alarm was raised for Americans in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Maine.

And some of these states are enforcing year-round fire bans longer due to the predicted severity of the 2024 wildfire season.

A pile of leaves and a sapling catch fire along Peake Mountain Road during a wildfire, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, near Rawley Springs, Virginia.

‘Dry conditions with gusty winds are expected across the region today. Minimum relative humidity values ​​will drop by as much as 20 percent in some areas, with winds gusting from south to southwest at 20 to 30 miles per hour in the afternoon. warning from the NWS office in Binghamton, New York.

“Although this spring has been wet, fine fuels such as dead grass and leaf litter will dry out quickly under these conditions,” the Special Weather Report continues.

“If a fire were to break out, the windy and dry weather will increase the risk of wildfire spreading, making it difficult to control.”

Due to the dry weather, New York State will maintain the burning ban until May 14.

Some types of outdoor fires are still allowed, including campfires and small cooking fires less than one meter high and one meter wide.

Ceremonial or celebratory fires are also allowed, including those used to dispose of flags or religious objects, according to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

But because of the risk of the fire spreading to dry grass and brush nearby, burning of trash, branches, leaves or treated wood is banned until May 14, when conditions are expected to make wildfires less likely.

The West Coast of the US has developed a reputation for wildfires in recent years, but this wildfire in Virginia covered more than 2,000 hectares at the end of March this year.

The National Weather Service office in Pittsburgh warned that conditions were suitable for wildfires.

Farther west, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania NWS office issued the following warning on Tuesday at 25%. % with wind gusts of sometimes 30 to 30 km/hour. These conditions today allow for an increased risk of wildfires.”

NWS Chief Meteorologist David Shallenberger told Newsweek that the special weather statement in the northeast is unlikely to trigger a red flag warning – a predicted warning that conditions are ideal for bushfires to start and spread rapidly.

“We’re starting to get greener now and we’ve just had a spell of rain,” he said. ‘The moisture content in things that can burn has been relatively high lately.’

The risk is temporary, but officials emphasized that residents of these ten states should be extra careful for now.