Drought worsens over metro Atlanta as fire danger spikes, experts warn
A crisp fall evening by a bonfire sounds like a great idea, but the severe lack of rain means it’s risky business.
Parts of Atlanta and the southern metro area entered extreme drought conditions Thursday, and the area is under high fire danger at least until 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Another fire danger statement is likely to be issued Friday.
“Any fires that develop could spread rapidly,” NWS meteorologists warn. “Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.”
The Weather Service’s fire warning spans much of metro Atlanta, Middle Georgia and the state’s northeast corner. Cobb, Cherokee, Forsyth and Hall counties have been spared for now. However, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission, which uses different metrics to assess fire risks, much of the state has been under “extreme” fire danger conditions for weeks.
The forestry agency uses several weather and environmental factors from its local offices to develop its model. An updated warning map was not available Thursday, but with such little rain this month, it’s not likely conditions have improved.
So far in October, only 0.13 inches of rainfall have been recorded at the NWS gauge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Normally, the month sees 3.28 inches. September was no better with just 0.16 inches compared with its average of 3.82 inches.
The lack of rain has pushed parts of metro Atlanta into an “extreme drought,” or the third highest of the U.S. Drought Monitor’s four-level severity scale. The area includes the southern half of Fulton County, along with Clayton, Fayette and Coweta counties. The rest of the region is in a moderate to severe drought.
In fact, 85% of Georgia is considered to be in a drought to some degree, according to the Drought Monitor. Almost half of the country — about 46% — is in the same boat.
In far South Georgia, the extreme drought has also expanded, causing even more trouble for farmers there and in central parts of the state.
And there is still no relief in sight, at least for the metro area. Some rain is in the forecast this weekend and early next week, according to meteorologists. It won’t be enough to improve drought conditions, but it might prevent things from worsening.
“Some models indicate the potential of over an inch of rain, and that’s definitely needed,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Ashley Kramlich said.
Showers should reach metro Atlanta late Sunday and will likely impact Monday morning’s commute, Kramlich said.
