Red Flag Warning

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS POSSIBLE TODAY...

.A cold front is introducing some very dry air with RH values falling into the low to mid 30s along with windy conditions with some gusts well into the 30 mph range. Winds are expected to continue in the mid 20 mph range today. The combination of gusty winds, current drought conditions, ample dry fuel, and very dry conditions will allow any fire that develops to spread quickly. A Red Flag Warnings will continue for a large portion of the area today. This headline will drop by Sunday, but only the wind speeds will cause this change. The dry, breezy conditions will remain causing favorable conditions for fire spread.

* AFFECTED AREA...Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, East Feliciana, St. Helena, Washington, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, Assumption, St. James, Wilkinson, Amite, Pike, Northern Tangipahoa, Walthall, Southeast St. Tammany, Pearl River, Northern St. Tammany, Southwestern St. Tammany, Hancock, Central Tangipahoa, Harrison, Lower Tangipahoa, Jackson, Northern Livingston, Southern Livingston, Western Ascension and Eastern Ascension.

* WINDS...North 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 30 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.