High Fire Danger Conditions Present Thursday: GA Weather

GEORGIA — As Hurricane Dorian passes by Georgia, it brings strong winds to north and central Georgia, meaning there is a high risk for fires.

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Danger Statement for Thursday afternoon and evening for all of north and central Georgia with very dry fuels and relatively high sustained winds possible.

Sustained winds of 15 to 20 MPH can be expected along with gusts of 25 to 30 MPH. Relative Humidities will likely stay above 25 percent. With dry fuels, high fire danger conditions can be expected.

In Cherokee County, a burn ban is in effect until Sept. 30. Many other areas around the state also are under a burn ban.

The following types of fires are allowed during the outdoor burn ban:

• Recreation fire
• Bonfire
• Agriculture burn
• Outdoor fire place

Additionally, isolated thunderstorms will be possible across the area on Monday through Wednesday.

The forecast for the next several days include:

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 93. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Friday Night
Clear, with a low around 70. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night
Clear, with a low around 69.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 96.

Sunday Night
Clear, with a low around 71.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 96.

After slamming Georgia's coast on Wednesday, Hurricane Dorian has once again become a category three storm as it moves north-northest along the South and North Carolina coasts. More than 15,000 people in extreme southeast Georgia are without power, according to PowerOutage.US. The National Hurricane Center said Georgia's coast is still experiencing tropical storm conditions in the storm's wake.

The storm was expected to go on full assault of the region Thursday with winds of 25-35 mph with gusts to 45 mph. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service said the storm has the potential for winds of 39 to 57 mph. "Now is the time to shelter from hazardous wind," forecasters said Thursday morning.

"Water levels could begin to rise well in advance of the arrival of strong winds," the center warned at 8 p.m., adding that large and destructive waves were likely to accompany the surge. In some places on the coast, seawater could rise to seven feet above normal tidal levels, forecasters warned.

The public should monitor local radio and TV stations for the latest details on the path of the storm, weather conditions and possible evacuations. The public may also monitor GDOT's news service, The Network, at http://www.dot.ga.gov/AboutGDOT/TheNetwork for up-to-date information.