Red Flag Warning issued October 17 at 3:27AM CDT until October 17

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS POSSIBLE TODAY...

.A cold front is introducing some very dry air with RH values
falling into the low to mid 30s along with windy conditions with
some gusts well into the 30 mph range. Winds are expected to
continue in the mid 20 mph range today. The combination of gusty
winds, current drought conditions, ample dry fuel, and very dry
conditions will allow any fire that develops to spread quickly. A
Red Flag Warnings will continue for a large portion of the area
today. This headline will drop by Sunday, but only the wind speeds
will cause this change. The dry, breezy conditions will remain
causing favorable conditions for fire spread.

* AFFECTED AREA...Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, East Feliciana,
St. Helena, Washington, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, East
Baton Rouge, Assumption, St. James, Wilkinson, Amite, Pike,
Northern Tangipahoa, Walthall, Southeast St. Tammany, Pearl
River, Northern St. Tammany, Southwestern St. Tammany,
Hancock, Central Tangipahoa, Harrison, Lower Tangipahoa,
Jackson, Northern Livingston, Southern Livingston, Western
Ascension and Eastern Ascension.

* WINDS...North 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 30 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread
quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.