The National Weather Service has issued a high fire danger alert for Cobb County and other counties in north and central Georgia due to expected low humidity and gusty winds.
This hazardous weather outlook, announced on Tuesday, April 15, warns residents about elevated fire risks in the region.
The alert highlights particularly high fire danger conditions expected this afternoon and evening across portions of north and central Georgia.
These conditions are largely attributed to low relative humidity and gusty northwest winds that aggravate the risk of wildfires.
The National Park Service explains that low relative humidity increases fire dangers because dead forest fuels and the air continuously exchange moisture.
When humidity levels are low, moisture is extracted from the fuels, causing them to become drier and more susceptible to fire.
Light fuels, such as grass and pine needles, are particularly affected because they gain and lose moisture quickly with changes in relative humidity.
As the relative humidity drops, fire behavior escalates, making it easier for flames to spread through these fine fuels.
In contrast, heavy fuels react to humidity changes more slowly; therefore, it typically requires more significant moisture to notably affect their moisture content.
The hazardous weather outlook includes an extensive list of counties that are at risk: Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Douglas, Emanuel, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Glascock, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Lumpkin, Macon, Madison, Marion, Meriwether, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Rockdale, Schley, South Fulton, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Twiggs, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, Warren, Washington, Webster, Wheeler, White, Whitfield, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson.
Given the elevated fire risk, the National Weather Service advises residents to exercise extreme caution during any outdoor burning activities.
It is also recommended to review local fire ordinances before proceeding with such activities in order to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
For further information regarding Cobb County’s fire ordinances, residents can follow the provided link.
As a reminder, the National Weather Service is an agency under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that provides critical weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings across the United States.
The NWS aims to protect lives, safeguard property, and enhance the national economy through accurate forecasting and timely alerts.
Their efforts include forecasts, observations, warnings, and education, all designed to foster a weather-ready society prepared to respond efficiently to a variety of weather-related events.
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