The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a red flag warning for leeward areas of the Islands because of gusty trade winds and low humidity, which will make for critical fire conditions through Thursday.

The warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday. and comes despite some leeward rainfall over Oahu and Kauai this past weekend.

Strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures create the potential for rapid fire growth. A red flag warning does not predict new fires.