NORTH CAROLINA – Windy conditions and a drop in humidity have created a fire danger concern for eastern North Carolina Saturday.
The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement warning several cities and counties of the potential threat, including: Tyrrell County, Dare
HORRY COUNTY, SC – APRIL 24: Smoke from backfires lit by the Forestry Service filters through pine trees April 24, 2009 in Horry County, South Carolina. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty Images)
County and the Outer Banks.
Gusts will increase around 20 to 25 miles per hour and the humidity will drop to 30 to 40 percent. Dry leaf litter will also create an increased danger of rapid fire grow.
Outdoor burning is discouraged Saturday because fires could quickly grow out of control.
More than 30 large wildfires have left a trail of destruction through 80,000 acres in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky, according to the US Forest Service.
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory said officials believe that the wildfires were caused by humans, either intentional or unintentional. He said there is a reward of up to $10,000 for anyone who can give information that leads to an arrest of the person(s) who started a fire recently.
