November 6th, 2023 – 3:00 PM

WRGA Staff reports –

The Georgia Forestry Commission has advised a high fire danger warning to the people of Northwest Georgia and is asking the community to refrain from burning or starting fires temporarily.

“There’s been no measurable rain for over a month, and conditions are critically dry,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore. “Seasonal leaf fall, along with sustained gusty winds, are contributing to high fire risk conditions. We’re recommending any planned outdoor burning be postponed for now.”

According to the GFC, many weather factors can dictate the risk, intensity, and spread of wildfires. They include wind, relative humidity, and fuel moisture. Temperature and drought levels also play a role, and all of these conditions can also impact efforts to fight and contain wildfires. Changing conditions and wind make it easier for embers to fly and fires to spread.

Debris burning accounts for over 50 percent of all wildfires in the state. Debris burning is categorized into different types: yard leaf piles, agricultural, forestry site preparation, construction land clearing, and escaped prescribed burning.

The majority of fires that get out of hand are caused by humans and care must be exercised whenever open burning is conducted. Campfires, escaped debris burning and ignition by hot equipment are just a few of the things that can spark a fire.

It should be noted that some outdoor burning requires a burn permit as well as a notification of the time and location.

The burning of household garbage is prohibited and not permitted in the state of Georgia.

For more information on Georgia outdoor burning please visit the Georgia Forestry Commission’s website at gatrees.org