Increased Fire Danger

The National Weather Service reports an increased fire danger in effect from noon Monday, April 17, 2023, through this evening for Northeast Georgia, including Rabun County.  Winds will increase from the west later today and become gusty, with gusts as high as 30 mph expected this afternoon. Meanwhile, temperatures warming to the upper 60s to lower 70s will combine with much drier air to produce relative humidity of 15 to 20 percent. The very dry air and gusty winds will allow vegetation to dry out quickly, enhancing the potential for fires to start and spread.  Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities on whether you can burn today.  If you do burn, use extreme caution since fires can quickly get out of hand under these conditions.  Westerly winds will increase again throughout Tuesday becoming gusty. Gusts as high as 25 mph are expected Tuesday afternoon.  Although relative humidity values will increase slightly on Tuesday and Wednesday, they will still remain near critical values. So, fire weather concerns will remain elevated across northeast Georgia through Wednesday.