ASHEVILLE - The Buncombe County Fire Marshal is discouraging open burning due to increased fire danger Oct. 22, the county announced.

Gusty winds and low humidity levels is creating a higher risk for fires, the news release said. However, conditions do not warrant a ban at this time. Officials ask the public to refrain from burning if possible.

The National Weather Service's Greenville-Spartanburg office issued a hazardous weather outlook Oct. 22 for Western North Carolina and the Piedmont. An increased fire danger is in effect until 7 p.m., the outlook warned.

Dry and windy conditions are returning to the area Oct. 22 behind a departing cold front, the weather service said in a special weather statement around 9 a.m. Afternoon relative humidity values are expected to drop between 25% a

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