Conditions across much of Georgia could once again be ripe for wildfires this week after infernos ravaged parts of the Peach State and the Carolinas.
So far this year, Georgia has seen 1,644 fires, a 20% increase over the five-year average during the same nearly three-month period. The number of acres burned this year — nearly 14,000— is up 50% compared to the recent average.
A fire danger statement is in effect Tuesday through 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Credit: National Weather Service
Credit: National Weather Service
“Low relative humidity, dry fuels and breezy winds will produce high fire dangers in north and central Georgia today,” the NWS warns. “Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.”
Gusty winds of up to 25 mph add to the potential for trouble.
“Any fires that develop could spread rapidly,” the Weather Service cautions.
Over the weekend, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported 133 fires burned 1,677 acres, including one in Floyd County that prompted evacuations.
“We are grateful for a little rain today, but we expect fire activity to ramp back up toward the weekend,” the commission’s spokesperson Wendy Burnett said Monday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, there is a moderate risk for fire potential — up from Monday’s low risk, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
In fact, there has been an “above normal” potential for wildfires across the state throughout March, the center reported. Next month, conditions are expected to stay the same for much of the state with the exception of the northwest corner, where the risk is likely to be no greater than normal.
While Monday’s rainy start offered some relief, the forecast for the rest of the week shows no rain at least through Sunday. So far this month, Atlanta has only seen 2½ inches of rain. That is about an inch less than normal for the city, but the metro area hasn’t quite slipped into drought conditions.
“Because we got quite a bit of precipitation earlier this year we’re actually in good condition,” said Weather Service meteorologist Vaughn Smith. “We’re not in a deep drought or anything like that; it’s just we’re in a dry period right now.”
The Floyd County fire burned about 40 acres and threatened dozens of homes. Several families living along New Rosedale Road were under a voluntary evacuation advisory Sunday.
Crews managed to fully contain the fire by Monday morning, Burnett said. Officials said one outbuilding was damaged and a nearby home was lightly damaged, but no injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation.
The weekend’s fires came as South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency as fire crews fought the Table Rock fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Officials called for voluntary evacuations of about 100 homes, according to a social media post from the state’s forestry commission.
That human-caused fire grew to more than 300 acres, The Associated Press reported. Downed timber from Hurricane Helene exacerbated the situation. By Monday morning, it was still at 80% containment.
Residents in western North Carolina were under mandatory evacuations as multiple fires there ravaged land and property, according to the AP. At least three homes were destroyed.
Those who need to do any outdoor burning should pay attention to the Forestry Commission and Weather Service’s fire weather forecasts.
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