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Sep 26

Can we BBQ in town during red flag warnings?

Posted on September 26, 2018 at 10:54 AM by Nancy Oakland-Potter

Yes. Bar-b-que/outdoor cooking is allowed during red flag warnings. According to the National Weather Service (NOAA), a Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. Additional information can be found at:  https://www.weather.gov/mqt/redflagtips

Also, according to Wikipedia, a red flag warning is a forecast warning issued by the United States National Weather Service to inform area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread.[1] After drought conditions, when humidity is very low, and especially when there are high or erratic winds which may include lightning as a factor, the Red Flag Warning becomes a critical statement for firefighting agencies. Red flag warnings don’t necessarily indicate local fire restrictions.

Albany County Fire Warden enacts restrictions on burning within the county, and restrictions don’t always indicate a full-on fire ban.

Restrictions are typically accompanied by guidelines such as “fire must be supervised at all times” and “must have a means of extinguishment on hand” and other requirements.