National Weather Service issues new fire warning for Long Island

Rain overnight Monday failed to keep Long Island out of fire-danger territory, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday and a forecast showing mostly clear skies and no chance of rain for the next week.

The Red Flag Warning for Long Island, New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley, will be in effect from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday. The warnings are issued when "critical fire weather conditions are expected or occurring," the weather service said on its website. "A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will create a significantly elevated fire growth potential."

Daytime highs of about 50 degrees are forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with evening lows dipping into the low-to-mid 30s.

The weather service is also predicting winds of 14 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 30 on Tuesday, followed by a similar forecast for Wednesday.

Overnight temperatures are expected to drop to near freezing both nights.

While daytime temperatures could rebound slightly, to about 60 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the weather is forecast to remain mild and fairly fall-like.

About 1/10th of an inch of rain was recorded Monday at Farmingdale and Islip.

In a statement Sunday, the weather service said that with strong gusting winds and low humidity expected for the early portion of the coming week, the risk of fire spread will be elevated — especially given the presence of "dry fuels" like leaves and brush.

"Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged," that statement read. "Use extra caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery or matches, and ensure to properly extinguish or dispose cigarette butts," the statement said.

As of this week, the U.S. Drought Monitor has moved Nassau and Suffolk from its D0 Level, meaning it's been abnormally dry, to its D1 Level, which signals "moderate drought."

The D1 Level indicates that trees and landscaping are "stressed," that voluntary water conservation is requested and that wildfires and ground fire possibilities increase. 

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”