Article Text
Fairfax County faces a sharp overnight freeze and an elevated wildfire threat after an unusually warm start to spring.
A Freeze Warning will be in effect from midnight until 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, with temperatures expected to fall as low as 30 degrees. Frost and freezing conditions could kill crops and sensitive plants and may damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Residents should take immediate steps to shelter tender vegetation and protect exposed pipes.
The warning covers Fairfax County and Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria, along with the District of Columbia and several counties in Maryland. King George County is also included.
Meanwhile, gusty winds, low humidity and persistent drought have increased the risk that fires could ignite and spread quickly. The elevated wildfire threat is expected to continue through early next week as dry conditions persist.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue officials urged residents to dispose of cigarettes properly, avoid equipment that could create sparks, keep vehicles away from dry grass and refrain from outdoor burning. Any open flames should be continuously supervised.
Northern Virginia also remains under a drought warning advisory issued in January. The advisory was still active at the end of March despite winter weather and recent rainfall.
Virginia’s Drought Monitoring Task Force is scheduled to meet April 14 to consider whether conditions have changed enough to adjust the advisory.