Low humidity and high winds will increase the danger of wildfires across eastern and southeast Virginia — including Greater Williamsburg — on Thursday, the National Weather Service in Wakefield warns.
Humidity levels will fall to 25 to 30 percent and wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph will whip the area by Thursday afternoon, the weather service said.
All outdoor burning should be discouraged on Thursday, the weather service said. In Virginia, it is illegal to have an open fire before 4 p.m. from Feb. 15 through April 30.
The weather service urges Virginians to exercise caution handling any potential ignition sources — including machinery, cigarettes and matches — and to be sure to properly discard all smoking materials to reduce the chances of wildfires.