Meteorologist Josh Cingranelli here. I'm guest writing 'On Ryan's Radar' while he's taking some much deserved R&R in Ireland.
Abnormally high temperatures coupled with gusty winds are leading to an increased risk of brush and forest fires.
Conditions are dry with relative humidity values between 20 to 30 percent.
One of the reasons conditions become so dry this time of year is because of the lack of leaves on the trees.
The leaves help to provide moisture into the atmosphere in a process called transpiration.
The dry conditions have caused a high fire danger level.
When the fire danger is high, very high, or extreme open burn permits become invalid. Click here to check out the latest fire danger level.
The dry conditions will continue through the end of the week. Relative humidity values will range from 20 to 30 percent with breezy conditions.
Fire officials across the state urge everyone to be vigilant when discarding any ashes.
