Weather Alert Update: High Fire Danger alert issued until 7 p.m. Dec. 31

Update

A Special Statement alerting to another High Fire Danger has been issued by the National Weather Service for 4 hours this afternoon, Dec. 31.

According to the NWS, “relative Humidities of 25 percent or less can be expected for 4 or more hours this afternoon into the evening. Winds will be west at 6 to 12 mph. With dry fuels, high fire danger conditions can be expected. Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside, use extreme caution.”

Update

The National Weather Service announced Tuesday morning that a Red Flag Warning has been issued for this afternoon and evening. Dry, breezy conditions will lead to dangerous fire weather.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged as any fires that develop could be expected to spread rapidly!

Initial story

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a Fire Weather Watch for East and Northeast Georgia, including Walton, Gwinnett and surrounding counties until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30.

According to the NWS, the alert is from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening due to low relative humidity falling below 25 % and gusty winds up to 25 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph along ridgelines and peaks of NE Georgia.

NWS warns that with elevated winds and low relative humidities, extremely dangerous fire weather conditions are possible. This watch also includes the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests.
A Fire Weather Watch means that there is high potential for the development of critical fire weather conditions in 12 to 96 hours. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

You are urged to refer to the local burn permitting authorities on whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside…use extreme caution.