Greenville, SC – An increased fire danger warning is in effect for South Carolina and northeast Georgia through 8 p.m. Saturday due to dry conditions, gusty winds, and low humidity.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, although winds are expected to be lighter on Friday, the combination of low relative humidity and dry fuels will maintain an elevated fire risk. By Saturday, winds will pick up again with gusts reaching 25-30 mph, particularly during the afternoon hours.
Authorities caution that the primary risk period will be during daylight hours, when the combination of dry conditions and strong winds can cause fires to spread rapidly. The lack of recent rainfall has left brush and leaf litter dry, further fueling wildfire potential.
Residents in affected areas, including Cherokee, York, Anderson, Abbeville, Laurens, Union, Chester, and Greenwood counties in South Carolina, as well as Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Hart, and Elbert counties in northeast Georgia, are urged to exercise extreme caution.
Officials advise checking with local burn permitting authorities before conducting any outdoor burning. If burning is permitted, residents should take extra precautions as fires can quickly become uncontrollable under these conditions.
