Update: A fire warning is issued for Pennsylvania through Friday evening

At 3:16 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service issued an updated red flag warning effective for Carbon, Monroe, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday.

Westerly winds of 10 to 20 mph and gusts of up to 30 mph are expected, with relative humidity at just 26 percent.

“Any fire that starts starts quickly and spreads quickly. Outdoor burning is discouraged,” the weather service added.

What does a red flag warning mean?

A red flag warning indicates that extreme fire weather conditions are either currently occurring or will occur soon, according to the weather service. Warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds are expected to combine to create an increased risk of rapid fire spread.

So what are the recommended actions when an alert occurs?

When alerted, it is critical to exercise extreme caution and be prepared to take immediate action if a fire breaks out. The Weather Service offers you the following measures to reduce the risk of fire and ensure your safety:

1. Secure burning barrels:

• If firing is permitted in your area, make sure all firing barrels have a weighted metal cover with holes no larger than 3/4 inch.

2. Careful handling of smoking materials:

• Never throw away lit cigarette butts outdoors or throw cigarettes or matches from a moving vehicle. These seemingly small actions can cause dry grass to ignite, potentially starting a wildfire.

3. Prudent firefighting practices:

• To prevent accidental fires, carefully extinguish all outdoor fires. Deglaze with plenty of water and stir to ensure complete cooling. Immerse the charcoal until it is completely free of residual heat. Never walk away from glowing charcoal unattended.

4. Never leave a fire:

• Avoid leaving the fire unattended. Even small sparks or drifting embers can stimulate nearby leaves or grass and start a quickly spreading fire.

To reduce the risk of wildfires in these dangerous conditions, it is critical to understand the severity of an alert and follow these precautions. Prioritize safety, stay informed and act responsibly to protect life and property.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.