Ohio Fires

## Daily Wildfire Report for Ohio - July 28, 2025

### Overview
Ohio is currently experiencing a period of elevated fire risk due to a combination of dry conditions, gusty winds, and low humidity. These factors contribute to an increased potential for wildfires to start and spread rapidly. The National Preparedness Level for the region is not explicitly stated in the provided data, but the conditions suggest a heightened awareness is warranted.

### Current Situation
**Fire Activity:** While there are no specific large, active wildfires dominating the current situation in Ohio as of the last 72 hours, the prevailing weather conditions indicate a heightened risk for new fire starts. The combination of dry vegetation and wind can quickly escalate small ignitions into significant incidents.

**Key Fires:** No significant wildfires requiring national support or extensive acreage burned have been reported in Ohio within the last 72 hours based on the available information.

**Prescribed Burns and Land Management:**
Prescribed burns are a recognized land management tool in Ohio, often conducted during spring and fall months (March, April, May, October, and November) to manage fuel loads and reduce wildfire risk. These operations require written permission from the Chief of the Division of Forestry and may be conducted during periods when outdoor burning is otherwise prohibited, provided a waiver is obtained. The Ohio Division of Forestry also manages the Ohio Certified Prescribed Fire Manager (OCPFM) program, which provides specific training and certification for natural resource managers.

**Air Quality:** No specific air quality alerts related to wildfires have been reported in Ohio within the last 72 hours.

### Weather and Wind Warnings
**Current Weather:** The weather in Ohio over the past 72 hours has been characterized by a mix of conditions, with some areas experiencing partly cloudy skies and a chance of scattered thunderstorms. Temperatures have been in the high 80s Fahrenheit, with humidity levels around 75%.

**Forecasted Weather:** Looking ahead, Ohio is expected to experience continued warm and dry conditions with increasing chances of rain later in the week. While specific Red Flag Warnings for the immediate past 72 hours are not detailed, the conditions that trigger them—low humidity (below 25%), sustained winds of 15 mph or greater, and low 10-hour fuel moisture (8% or less)—have been noted as criteria for issuing such warnings in the state. These conditions are conducive to increased fire danger.

### Recommendations
**Public Awareness:** Residents are advised to be aware of the elevated fire risk. Any outdoor burning should be conducted with extreme caution, adhering to all local ordinances and state regulations. It is crucial to have an emergency plan in place and to maintain defensible space around properties by clearing dead vegetation.

**Resource Allocation:** While no major incidents are currently reported, agencies are prepared for potential fire starts given the weather conditions.

### Resources
For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
* **Ohio EPA Open Burning Information:** [www.epa.ohio.gov/openburning](https://www.epa.ohio.gov/openburning)
* **Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry:** [https://ohiodnr.gov/](https://ohiodnr.gov/) (Specific links for wildfire information may be found on their site).
* **National Weather Service (NWS) Wilmington, OH:** [https://www.weather.gov/iln/](https://www.weather.gov/iln/) (For local weather and fire weather forecasts).

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.

CITATIONS