While there is a chance of rain Saturday night into Sunday, the forecast precipitation won’t be enough to alleviate the ongoing drought and resultant wildfire dangers.
“We are going to need some rain with a name,” said Whiteville Emergency Manager Hal Lowder.
The current rainfall deficit is severe enough that it might take a tropical system to break the dry spell, according to the National Weather Service. As of today (Friday), Whiteville has gone 18 days without measurable rainfall. Most areas of the county have gone at least 16 days with no precipitation.
Conditions Saturday are expected to create even more favorable conditions for wildfires across the area.
Plenty of dry fuels, near critical low relative humidity, and gusty winds will increase the fire danger conditions during Saturday across southeast North Carolina, the NWS said. Relative humidity values are expected to drop to 25 to 35 percent during the afternoon, with the lowest humidities across inland areas. In addition, southwesterly winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour with gusts to 15 to 20 mph are expected, with the highest winds along the coastal areas.
While the strong winds may bring some rain to the area, they can still cause wildfires to quickly spread.
A statewide burn ban remains in effect. All outdoor burning of any kind if prohibited. Intentionally lighting a fire during a burn ban can result in a criminal citation court costs and a civil judgment for suppression costs, as well as damages to other properties.
