Fire Weather Watch in effect for North Georgia
A combination of low humidity, low fuel moisture values, and higher winds have caused the National Weather Service to issue a Fire Weather Watch for all of north Georgia for tomorrow.
I’ll post the full text of the warning below, but I should explain part of it. It mentions that there is the possibility for a “red flag event” in the next 12 to 72 hours. A “red flag event” occurs when the following conditions are met for at least three consecutive hours:
- Relative humidities equal to or less than 15 percent.
- 20 foots winds of 20 MPH or higher and/or gusts to 35 MPH or higher.
- NFDRS adjective fire danger rating of “High” or higher.
This really isn’t a big concern, as nothing is likely to come of it and these watches are fairly common. However, with the horrible fires in California this watch will probably get some extra attention. Just avoid any outdoor burning this weekend — though most of you aren’t allowed to anyhow.
With the forecast for rain being zilch for the near future, we’ll likely see more of these warnings in the coming months.
Here’s the official watch notice:
1037 AM EDT FRI NOV 2 2007
…FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING…
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR ALL OF NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA DUE TO LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND LOW FUEL MOISTURE VALUES..
THIS WATCH INCLUDES THE CHATTAHOOCHEE AND OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS.
DRY FUEL MOISTURE CONDITIONS WILL COMBINE WITH 25 PERCENT OR LESS RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND WINDS OF 10 MPH TO POSSIBLY CREATE DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ON SATURDAY.
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT THERE IS HIGH POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RED FLAG EVENT IN 12 TO 72 HOURS. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.
PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH.
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Good luck
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Because I’m a geek, I had to check–cooking fires in an outdoor fireplace, fire bowl, charcoal grill, etc., are explicitly allowed. So you probably don’t have to cancel your cookout plans.
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:37 am
I should have mentioned that in the post. Very good point.
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:45 am
[...] Original post by mickey [...]
November 6th, 2007 at 12:11 am
It would really suck to end up with some forest fires, and then have to use up even more water putting them out. Wow, that would REALLY suck.