A burn ban has been put into affect in Frederick County effective immediately. County Fire Marshal Mike Dmuchowski says the National Weather Service is predicting gusty winds, low humidity, and low fuel moisture, and that enhances the danger  for wildfires.

The ban applies to campfires, bonfires, fireworks, and leaf, brush, grass and trash burning.  It does not cover the use of gas grills.

In a statement, Dmuchowski calls this "a proactive effort." He says in the past, fires have spread rapidly with dry and windy conditions.

The National Weather Service says a Fire Weather Watch is in affect from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening for parts of North Central Maryland and Northeastern Maryland. NWS says humidity is expected to range from 20% to 30%, with winds northwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour, gusting to 30 miles per hour. Fuel moisture is projected to range from 7%  to 8%.