At 6:56 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning valid for Saturday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. for North Worcester and South Worcester, as well as Franklin, Middlesex, Essex, Hampshire, Hampden, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties.

Expect westerly winds of 10 to 25 km/h with gusts up to 30 km/h and relative humidity of only 40 percent.

“Any fire that develops will quickly catch on and spread. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the weather service said.

What is the meaning of a red flag warning?

A red flag warning means extreme fire conditions are currently occurring or will occur soon, the weather service said. Warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds are expected to combine to create an increased risk of fire spreading quickly.

What actions are necessary during a red flag warning?

A red flag warning requires vigilance and immediate preparedness to respond to possible fires. The weather service offers these essential guidelines to minimize fire hazards and ensure your safety:

1. Improve the safety of the fire barrel:

• In areas where controlled burning is permitted, ensure that burn barrels are fitted with a heavy metal hood fitted with holes no larger than 3/4 inch.

2. Careful disposal of smoking materials:

• Never throw away lit cigarette butts outside, and avoid throwing cigarettes or matches from a moving vehicle. These seemingly small actions can lead to the ignition of dry grass, potentially leading to a wildfire.

3. Prudent Fire Fighting Practices:

• To prevent accidental fires, carefully extinguish all outdoor fires. Stir them with a generous amount of water and stir to ensure complete cooling. Immerse the charcoal in water until there is no more heat. Never leave live charcoal unattended.

4. Never abandon a fire:

• Be careful not to leave a fire unattended. Even small parks or embers can get into leaves or grass, starting a fire that can spread quickly.

Understanding the seriousness of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is critical to reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions. Prioritize safety, stay informed, and act responsibly to protect lives and property.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots, which uses machine learning to gather the latest data from the National Weather Service.