Dry air and gusty winds combined to create critical fire dangers Friday.

The National Weather Service and Maine Forest Rangers posted “red flag” warnings, meaning most outside burning was prohibited because of the conditions. Some cities and towns, including Portland and Old Orchard Beach, followed suit and rescinded burn permits that were issued for the day.

The red flag warning was in place until 8 p.m. Friday, the weather service said.

Forecasters said that very dry air moved into the region on Friday, with humidity readings around 20 percent. Combined with winds of 10 to 20 mph and higher gusts, conditions were ripe for “rapid fire growth, if a fire were to occur,” the weather service said.

Officials said a brush fire was reported in the Hancock County town of Franklin early Friday afternoon. Shortly after the forest rangers tweeted that they had that fire contained, they tweeted that they were en route to a fire in Wiscasset. According to the Maine Forest Rangers, officials need to respond quickly to any fires to keep them under control. Other fires were reported in Eddington and Blue Hill. And a 2-acre brush fire was contained in Raymond on Friday night.

No fire warnings are expected for Saturday, because the weather service said humidity levels were expected to rebound Friday night and “wetting rains” were on the way.

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