Worsening drought poses ‘extreme’ fire danger, Georgia officials warn
Large portions of Georgia are at risk of turning into a tinderbox Friday as blustery winds blow through areas that haven’t seen significant rain in more than a month, officials warn.
An area under “extreme” fire danger, the most dangerous category, stretches from northwest Georgia into portions of metro Atlanta and all the way to the state’s southern border, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
The same dangerous fire conditions are also expected in a large swath of east and southeast Georgia. Fire risk over the rest of the state varies from “moderate” to “very high.”
In extreme danger conditions, fires will ignite and spread rapidly and erratically, the National Park Service warns. Outdoor burning should be avoided.
“We could see gusts as high as 20 to 25 mph later on today,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Ashley Kramlich said.
The threat is mostly because of the Peach State’s worsening drought, with conditions likely only getting worse over the next three months, the National Weather Service predicts.
In metro Atlanta, there has been no significant rain since at least Aug. 22, when the city saw just under a half-inch, according to Weather Service data. In fact, last month was Atlanta’s fifth-driest September on record. The city finished out the month with less rain than deserts in California and Arizona.
The lack of rain has driven much of metro Atlanta into a moderate drought, the first level of severity, which ranges from 1 through 5, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry — the precursor to a drought — or worse conditions now cover 98% of the state and have been causing heartburn for Georgia farmers,
And there’s no immediate end in sight.
“We’re not looking at any significant rain, really, in the long-term forecast,” Kramlich said. “It’s some spotty rain showers for us at best.”
Some of those scattered showers are expected Sunday in the metro area, but it won’t be enough to bring much relief.
“Overall, it’s not a ton of rain for us,” Kramlich noted. “It’s definitely not an all-day event.”
A sliver of good news: Monday through Wednesday should have a small chance of rain, too.
About the Authors
Drew Kann is a reporter at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering climate change and environmental issues. His passion is for stories that capture how humans are responding to a changing environment. He is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia and Northwestern University, and prior to joining the AJC, he held various roles at CNN.
