BALTIMORE, MD—The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Baltimore area.

Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph are expected with gusts 35 to 45 mph on Wednesday across most of Maryland. Dry conditions are expected as well with the relative humidity dropping to around 15 to 25 percent for most areas.

Although fuels are relatively damp due to recent rainfall, they will quickly dry out, leading to an enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires late Wednesday morning through Wednesday afternoon.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Baltimore County Fire Department said that crews were already responding to multiple brush fires across the county.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged during this time. Residents should refer to their local burn permitting authority on whether they can burn. Anyone who does burn should use extreme caution and ensure fire suppression is readily available.

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