The drought plaguing Georgia, which shows no sign of letting up, has set a record.
The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) said Friday the first quarter of the year (Jan.-March) was the state’s 8th driest first quarter on record dating back to 1895. And there’s a growing concern about the possibility of wildfires such as the one earlier this week on Buzzard Mountain in White County.
Dry grass, leaf litter, woods and fields can ignite quickly under these conditions, the GFC notes, allowing wildfires to spread faster and burn more aggressively.
And following the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) decision to ban campfires in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the commission is also weighing in with some advice on preventing fires of any kind, anywhere.
Avoid parking vehicles in dry grass
Use outdoor equipment carefully
Never leave grills, fire pits or debris burns unattended
Obey local burn restrictions and permit guidance
Report smoke or wildfire concerns quickly
In addition to the ban on campfires in the Chattahoochee, a county-wide ban on outdoor burning is in place in Barrow County and the Gainesville Fire Department has put a hold on issuing burn permits.