CHARLOTTESVILLE (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The National Weather Service has issued an advisory for a threat of rapid fire spread until 7 this evening. The combination of low humidity and gusty winds are resulting in a greater risk for adverse fire behavior through the evening. Relative humidity values will drop 20 to 25 percent across most of the area this afternoon, with values of 15 to 20 percent in the Alleghenies and Shenandoah Valley. Northwest winds around 10- 20 mph with higher gusts… and even as high as 40-to-50 on the ridgetops… are expected. Temperatures this afternoon reach the into the upper 50s and low 60s.

Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities on whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn, use extreme caution since fires can increasingly escalate under these conditions.