The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton has issued a Red Flag Warning which is in effect from 8 AM to 7 PM EDT Friday. * AFFECTED AREA. In Massachusetts, Western Franklin, Eastern Franklin, Northern Worcester, Central Middlesex, Western Essex, Eastern Essex, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Eastern Hampshire, Eastern Hampden, Southern Worcester, Western Norfolk, Southeast Middlesex, Suffolk, Eastern Norfolk, Northern Bristol, Western Plymouth, Eastern Plymouth, Southern Bristol, Southern Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket and Northern Middlesex. * TIMING. From 8 AM to 7 PM EDT Friday. * WINDS. West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. As low as 41 percent. * TEMPERATURES. Up to 80. * IMPACTS. Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton has issued a Red Flag Warning which is in effect from 8 AM to 7 PM EDT Friday. * AFFECTED AREA. In Rhode Island, Northwest Providence, Southeast Providence, Western Kent, Eastern Kent, Bristol, Washington, Newport and Block Island. * TIMING. From 8 AM to 7 PM EDT Friday. * WINDS. West 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. As low as 44 percent. * TEMPERATURES. Up to 77. * IMPACTS. Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

* WHAT. Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 5 feet expected. * WHERE. Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay. * WHEN. From 2 AM to 11 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 4 to 7 feet expected. * WHERE. Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound. * WHEN. From 11 PM this evening to 11 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 5 to 8 feet expected. * WHERE. In Massachusetts coastal waters, Coastal Waters extending out to 25 nm South of Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. In Rhode Island coastal waters, Coastal Waters from Montauk NY to Marthas Vineyard extending out to 20 nm South of Block Island. * WHEN. From 8 PM this evening to 8 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 4 to 7 feet expected. * WHERE. Coastal waters from Provincetown MA to Chatham MA to Nantucket MA out 20 nm. * WHEN. From 11 PM this evening to 8 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

The prolonged period of dry weather coupled with a very dry ground will continue to result in elevated fire weather concerns Thursday. Near record highs are expected with highs in the upper 70s to the lower 80s away from the immediate south coast. Minimum afternoon relative humidity values are expected to range between 40 to 50 percent with southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph. Use caution when handling and disposing of ignition sources. Outdoor burning is not recommended.