DAYTON — It is a warm, sunny Thursday across the area but a Red Flag Warning is in effect.
>>Red Flag Warning issued for most with elevated fire danger, windy conditions; Storms arrive Friday
News Center 7′s Xavier Hershovitz spoke with Dayton Fire Captain Brad French Thursday about why they are watching conditions closely.
Thursday is a beautiful day to take the dog out for a walk at Cox Arboretum and lots of people are out enjoying the really nice spring day.
But on top of the nice weather, the Miami Valley is also under an enhanced fire risk.
A lot big open fields are most at risk on a dry day, according to firefighters.
Wednesday night, there was a brush fire just off the trail at Cox Arboretum, firefighters quickly put it out.
>>Firefighters respond to house fire in Trotwood
When it is dry and windy, firefighters say just the smallest spark can start a fire, suck as flicking a cigarette butt can create a bigger issue. The wind also makes a difference.
That’s something Captain French is watching closely.
“If we have a fire in a home and the wind is directly impacting that side of that home, that can affect it how quickly it spreads throughout that home,” he said. “(It) can also affect the fire’s ability to potentially go to a neighboring structure.”
He told Hershovitz dry conditions like Thursday can make the job more difficult in Dayton.
“When it comes to house fires, high wind days can absolutely affect fire behavior and can make the fires more intense,” he said. “On windy days and red flag days like this, our fire command staff often times make sure that all of the crews out in the districts are alerted to those weather conditions and can make tactical decisions based up knowing that wind could be a factor.”
Captain French is encouraging people to get outside on warm days like this but be cognizant.
“There’s a lot of great things to do as the weather is warming up,” he said. “Get out, but just be cognizant of fire safety while you’re out.”
>>Person in critical condition after being trapped inside burning Dayton house
Captain French says in the City of Dayton, people really should not do any opening burning, especially on a warm, dry, windy days like Thursday.
He told Hershovitz if anyone lives outside the city limits, they should check their local jurisdiction on the rules when it comes to burning but especially on a day like Thursday.