Treasure Coast on wildfire watch ahead of weekend cool down

Corey Arwood, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·1 min read

Increased fire risk from dry, windy weather conditions on the Treasure Coast prompted a special warning from the National Weather Service for Friday.

FIRE WEATHER WATCH: It applies to Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties from noon to 7 p.m. Friday with prolonged dry conditions and gusty winds out of the southwest expected to pick up Friday afternoon.

Northbound traffic is seen stalled along Interstate 95 which is closed in northern Indian River County and southern Brevard County all day on Friday, May 21, 2021, because of a wildfire at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park. Vehicles are seen backed up on I-95 at mile marker 153.
Northbound traffic is seen stalled along Interstate 95 which is closed in northern Indian River County and southern Brevard County all day on Friday, May 21, 2021, because of a wildfire at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park. Vehicles are seen backed up on I-95 at mile marker 153.

"Be on guard to the possibility of fire ignition ... strong winds could spread fires," said John Pendergrast, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Melbourne Forecast Office. "From a fire weather perspective – (Friday) looks to be the most critical."

According to the federal weather agency, the watch, which was announced Thursday, means "...critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur with dry vegetation, gusty winds and low humidity."

WEEKEND FRONT: Seasonally high temperatures in the upper 80s were projected across the region into Saturday ahead of a system expected to move into the area Sunday that could bring a 20% to 25% rain chance and highs in the low- to mid-80s and lows in the 60s Sunday.

"There is a frontal system that's going to be working its way down the peninsula over the weekend," Pendergrast said. "(Friday) and Saturday there's going to be some near record heat before the front makes its way down (Sunday)."

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246.

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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Treasure Coast on fire watch ahead of weekend cool down