The City of Williamsport Bureau of Fire and Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Co. chiefs have ordered an outdoor burning ban in Williamsport and the township.

Critical fire weather conditions have forced this ban that will be in effect through 8 p.m. Saturday, April 22, Williamsport Firefighters Local 736 stated in an urgent notice.

Chiefs Sam Aungst, of the city, and Matthew C. Oldt, of the township, said that means no open outdoor burning is permitted. This type of burning includes but is not to any combustible materials such as paper, grass, twigs, wood or vegetative material.

Whether in a container or on the ground, recreational burning is also prohibited. That means no hot dog and marshmallow burning in rear yards.

Violators may face legal punishment and fines.

The National Weather Service in State College issued a special weather statement.

It indicated there is an elevated risk of dry and breezy conditions that will result in an elevated risk of wildfire.

There are minimum relative humidity values ranging from 15 to 25% with maximum wind gusts from the west between 15 to 25 mph.

Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have the potential to spread rapidly.

The state Bureau of Forestry is responsible for extinguishing forest wildfires on both public and private land. Each year, personnel assist in the suppression of approximately 600 wildfires on 6,000 acres across the commonwealth.

As for the forecast, it bodes better for suppression of wildfires for the weekend as Saturday holds a chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Showers also are likely after 2 p.m. Sunday.