An abnormally dry August has led to a rash of brush fires in metro Atlanta and across North Georgia.
In Gwinnett County, a brush fire that began late Monday was finally doused several hours later after scorching about two acres of woods and dense brush along I-85.
The brush fire broke out along the southbound side of the interstate north of Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, and was "pushed by steady wind gusts," Gwinnett fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said.
The southbound lanes of I-85 were temporarily closed by fire equipment in the roadway.
In Gordon County north of Atlanta, a large brush fire in the Farmville community east of Calhoun burned for more than three hours on Monday.
Authorities said that fire, which burned about 150 acres, started when a spark from a lawn mower ignited some grass.
Early Tuesday, a brush fire was reported along the CSX railroad tracks near Cumberland Boulevard and I-285 in Cobb County.
And Monday morning a fire briefly closed southbound I-285 at Northlake Parkway in DeKalb County.
Atlanta has not had any significant rain in over a week, since .42 inch was recorded on Aug. 20.
For the month, the 1.51 inches recorded by the city's official rain gauge at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is 2.14 inches below normal. The city 's rainfall deficit for the year has grown to 5.27 inches.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist David Chandley said that while the next chance of any significant rainfall isn't until early next week , an easterly wind on Tuesday will bring in some Atlantic moisture, increasing humidity and giving the area a little relief from the high fire danger.
Chandley's forecast for this week calls for hot and continued dry conditions, with highs in the low 90s and lows in the low 70s.
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