Atlanta, Georgia – A dry air surge dropping humidity to 25 percent is raising the risk of fast-moving brush fires across North and Central Georgia through Thursday evening, putting outdoor burning and equipment use under scrutiny over the next several hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, relative humidity will fall to 25 percent or lower for at least four hours Thursday afternoon into the evening. Northwest to northeast winds between 5 and 10 mph will combine with increasingly dry vegetation to create elevated fire danger conditions across much of the state.
The heightened risk stretches from the mountains in Dade, Fannin and Union counties through metro Atlanta, including Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, and south toward Macon, Columbus and Dublin. Even light winds can push flames quickly through dry grass and leaf litter, especially along roadways and wooded subdivisions.
State forestry officials urge residents to check with local burn permitting authorities before lighting any outdoor fires. Avoid parking vehicles over dry grass, properly discard cigarettes, and delay debris burning if possible. Equipment that produces sparks could also ignite fires under these conditions.
The elevated fire threat will persist until humidity levels recover after sunset. Additional advisories could follow if dry conditions continue into Friday.
