Red flag warning for Long Island Friday as the weather service warns of outdoor fires

The National Weather Service issued an advisory for Friday, advising residents against burning outdoor fires.

The warning, which affects Long Island, New York City and the lower Hudson Valley, lasts Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The warnings are issued when “critical fire weather conditions are expected or occur. A combination of high winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels results in significantly increased fire growth potential.”

West winds of 5 to 15 mph and gusts of 30 mph are expected, with a high of 67 degrees and humidity of just 27%.

“Any fire that starts will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the warning reads.

September and October were two of the driest months on record for Long Island, and the U.S. Drought Monitor has placed Long Island in moderate drought status, the second of six drought stages in the country.

However, conditions could change. This week’s unusual warmth, which saw highs in the mid to high 70s, is coming to an end. After Friday’s high of 67 degrees, Saturday will see a high of just 54 degrees and a low of 40 degrees, and Sunday’s high will be 61 degrees.

There is also an 80% chance of precipitation Sunday evening, followed by several more days of sunshine with highs of 50 to 60 degrees, the weather service said, and a lower chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday.