Wednesday’s forecast put the D.C. area at a heightened risk for rapidly-spreading fires, with dry conditions, low humidity and strong winds. Most of the D.C. metro was under a Red Flag warning from the National Weather Service, which expired at 7 p.m. The impacted areas include D.C. and counties west of Interstate 95. NWS puts out those warnings when “warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger,” NWS said.
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In Gaithersburg, Maryland, a small brush fire broke out around 3:55 p.m. Wednesday, extending from the intersection of Brink and Wightman roads toward the Great Seneca Stream Valley Park. In a post on X, David Pazos with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said at least 45 emergency responders were on the scene extinguishing the continuous fire around 5 p.m. He said there is no danger to nearby residential areas but traffic delays may occur.
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Temperatures were in the 50s on Wednesday but wind gusts were be in the 25-30 mph range throughout most of the afternoon. “Any fire that starts today, can spread quickly. So outdoor burning is not recommended,” 7News First Alert Meteorologist Jordan Evans said. NWS has suggested the following tips to prevent fires:
- If you’re in an area where you’re allowed to burn, make sure burn barrels are covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch
- Don’t throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle — if thrown on dry grass, those items could ignite and cause a wildfire
- Put out all outdoor fires
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Listen to WTOP online and on the radio at 103.5 FM or 107.7 FM.
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The winds will ease Wednesday evening, but it’ll be colder with temperatures falling through the 50s and 40s, and 30s overnight. Sunshine will come back on Thursday for the Washington Nationals’ opening regular-season game of the 2025 campaign with temperatures around 60 degrees. Friday will be cloudy with temperatures in the upper 60s. Saturday is another cloudy day, but temperatures will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s, which could be the warmest day of the year so far.
FORECAST
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Scattered clouds, winds ease Temperatures: 50s to 40s Winds: Northwest 10-20 mph A red flag warning (fire weather warning) has been posted for parts of the DMV until 7 p.m. Gusty northwesterly winds will ease this evening, and temperatures will fall through the 50s and 40s.OVERNIGHT: Mainly clear and cold Lows: 30s Winds: Northwest 3-8 mph Under mainly clear skies, temperatures will fall to the 30s by dawn. It will remain above freezing in the city, but temperatures may dip below 32 in some of our western suburbs.THURSDAY: Mostly sunny Highs: 58-65 Winds: West 5-10 Morning temperatures will be below freezing in some of our suburbs to start the day, but ample sunshine will help temperatures peak around 60 degrees. With light winds and sunshine, the weather looks great for Nationals Opening Day!FRIDAY: Partly sunny Highs: 65-70 Winds: Southwest 10-15 mph A nice warm-up to end the work week as temperatures approach 70 degrees heading into the weekend.SATURDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy Highs: 77-82 Winds: Southwest 10-15 mph Saturday may be the warmest day of the year so far, with highs ranging from the upper 70s to lower 80s.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, scattered showers Highs: 75-80 Winds: South 10-15 mph Scattered showers are possible on Sunday afternoon and evening.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
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