Red Flag Warning

Risk of wildfire high after dry spell, high winds in region

ralphhardin@gmail.com A red flag is a nearly universal signal to indicate some kind of danger.

Such is the case when it comes to the National Weather Service’s system of alerting the public of the risk of wildfires.

On Tuesday, the National Weather Service office in Memphis, Tennessee issued a Red Flag Warning for teh Mid-South region.

“That means conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread,” warned West Memphis Office of Emergency Management director DeWayne Rose.

Along with the warning, the National Weather Service issed the following guidelines

• Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle.

“They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire,” Rose said.

• Extinguish all outdoor fires properly.

“Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch,” said Rose. “Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.”

• Never leave a fire unattended.

“Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread,” Rose added.

The Red Flag Warning will remain in effect until conditions change. Earlier this year, following a long hot dry spell, Crittenden County was one of more than 60 Arkansas counties placed under a burn ban.

Unlike the Red Flag Warning, the county judge has the authority to enact and repeal a burn ban.

DeWayne Rose