Special Weather Statement District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia | Effective 03/28/2026 23:01

Headline: 
Special Weather Statement issued March 29 at 2:01AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Event: 
Special Weather Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
March 28, 2026 - 11:01pm
Expires: 
March 29, 2026 - 5:00pm
Description: 
The combination of drying fine fuels, relative humidities around 20 to 30 percent, and wind gusts around 20 to 25 mph will lead to an increased risk for the rapid spread of wildfires today. Following modest early morning relative humidity recovery, the conditions most conducive to fire spread are expected from late morning through early evening (roughly 10 AM to 8 PM EDT). Residents and visitors are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers. Additionally, exercise caution if operating any equipment that could create sparks and keep vehicles off of dry grass. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly. Lastly, remember to obey local burn bans. For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state forestry or environmental protection website. For West Virginia, visit www.wvforestry.com For Maryland, visit dnr.maryland.gov For Virginia, visit dof.virginia.gov
Area Description: 
District of Columbia; Washington; Frederick; Carroll; Northern Baltimore; Cecil; Southern Baltimore; Prince Georges; Anne Arundel; Charles; St. Marys; Calvert; Extreme Western Allegany; Central and Eastern Allegany; Northwest Montgomery; Central and Southeast Montgomery; Northwest Howard; Central and Southeast Howard; Northwest Harford; Southeast Harford; Western Garrett; Eastern Garrett; Augusta; Rockingham; Shenandoah; Frederick; Page; Warren; Clarke; Nelson; Albemarle; Greene; Madison; Rappahannock; Orange; Culpeper; Fairfax; Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria; Stafford; Spotsylvania; King George; Northern Fauquier; Southern Fauquier; Western Highland; Eastern Highland; Western Loudoun; Eastern Loudoun; Northern Virginia Blue Ridge; Central Virginia Blue Ridge; Northwest Prince William; Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park; Hampshire; Morgan; Berkeley; Jefferson; Hardy; Western Grant; Eastern Grant; Western Mineral; Eastern Mineral; Western Pendleton; Eastern Pendleton
Forcast Office: 
NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov