Mild, comfortable air is coming to Maine because of a “dry air mass”, which Accuweather Meteorologist Joe Lundberg says is actually a problem.

“We’re now in the middle of a what is being considered a flash drought, as we’ve now gone to a moderate drought category across much of southern Maine,” said Lundberg. “And I’m not sure that there’s going to be much in the way of rain going forward. We could actually use some.”

The flash drought conditions developed over the past several weeks with dry weather and extreme heat, and Lundberg says the trend is likely to spread and worsen through the end of the month.

Southern Maine is under moderate drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

(US Drought Monitor)

Meanwhile, there’ve been 124 fires in Maine so far this month, with dry conditions and a lack of rainfall leading to the entire state being under High Fire Danger conditions.

(Maine Forest Service)

Lundberg says the threat of more wildfires fires is a growing problem.

“I think it will get worse before it gets better,” Lundberg said. “Any kind of front that either approaches or goes through is likely to stir up the wind, and if the air mass is dry, and we don’t get any rain, I think that that just would increase the risk of brush fire across the region.

The State has taken several steps to keep up with fires, including suspending burn permits and doing daily helicopter surveillance.

The forest service is also urging residents to take precautions like fully extinguishing campfires and avoiding open debris burning.