The National Weather Service has announced a red-flag fire warning for several regions in the upper- and mid-Hudson Valley.
The warning is set to begin at noon Thursday and will remain in effect until 6 p.m. It covers counties from Warren and Washington in the north to Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan in the south; it also extends into portions of Montgomery, Schoharie and Delaware counties. Cities in the affected areas include Glens Falls, Saratoga Springs, Albany, Schenectady, Poughkeepsie and Kingston.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rosemary Webb said the red-flag warning means critical fire conditions could occur Thursday due to strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.
“I want to emphasize that New York state is in a burn ban through May 14, so people shouldn’t really be burning,” Webb said.
Webb added that the warning is typical for this time of year.
The National Weather Service is advising people not to hold burns outside and said any fire that develops under the aforementioned conditions would catch and spread quickly.