The National Weather Service said an Increased Fire Danger Statement has been issued for all of central North Carolina Wednesday.

The statement will be in effect from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The combination of very dry relative humidity and gusty winds during the afternoon along with the abnormally dry to severe drought conditions over the area will result in an increased risk for adverse fire behavior, the NWS said.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.

Westerly gusts of 20- to 25-mph with infrequent gusts of up to 30 mph are expected along with relative humidity values of 25 to 30 percent.