Fire crews across Northeast Georgia are battling a familiar and growing problem: dry ground, gusty winds, and fast-moving fires that can turn dangerous in minutes.
An outbuilding and yard fire north of Clarkesville Friday evening marked the second fire in just 24 hours in the area. Flames spread quickly through dry vegetation and pushed close to nearby homes. A rapid, coordinated response kept the fire from causing major damage, but officials say it is part of a wider pattern unfolding across North Georgia.
Multiple brush fires were reported across the region and elsewhere in the state over the past day. Fire officials warn more are likely in the coming weeks as dry weather persists, even after some rain moved through Friday night.
Drought deepens statewide
The latest update from the US Drought Monitor shows just how widespread the problem has become. About 99.63% of Georgia is now classified as D1, moderate drought, or worse. Only a small area in Richmond and Columbia counties along the Savannah River remains classified as abnormally dry.
More concerning for Northeast Georgia, a large area of D2, severe drought, is rapidly expanding across northwest and North Central Georgia and now stretches east into Union County.
This trend reflects weeks of very limited rainfall. Much of North and Northeast Georgia has received less than one inch of rain over the past 30 days. North of Macon, Rabun County stands out as the only area to see anything close to meaningful rainfall, generally just 1 to 1.5 inches.
A bad time to be dry
The lack of rain is especially troubling because December and January are typically the wettest months of the year. Average rainfall usually ranges from about four inches across central Georgia to as much as six inches in the mountains.
Instead, rainfall deficits of three to six inches have developed across much of northern Georgia over the past month. Looking back even further, 60-day deficits are worse. Parts of Northeast Georgia are now running eight to ten inches below average since early November.
Fire danger already playing out
Those dry conditions were on full display New Year’s Eve in Stephens County, where firefighters saved a commercial building from being destroyed by a large brush fire near Highway 123 and East Tugalo Street.
Carnes Creek Fire Department Public Information Officer Lee Woody said the fire broke out around noon and was fully contained around 3 p.m. after a multi-agency response. Flames had spread to the side of a metal building where a large amount of plastic materials was stored, creating thick smoke visible for miles.
Firefighters from Shiloh, Big Smith, Carnes Creek, Martin, and Toccoa worked for hours to protect the structure. “They did a great job stopping this fire from destroying the building,” Woody said. No injuries were reported.
Fire crews in Stephens County also responded to two other brush fires that same day, both caused by fireworks. Officials said the incidents were unrelated but highlight how easily fires can start under current conditions.
Little relief ahead
While showers brought some temporary relief, totals generally ranged from about a half inch to one inch across Northeast Georgia. Sunshine returned quickly, and the overall pattern remains dry.
Forecast models show little additional rainfall beyond that system, with only limited chances late next week. Because of the continued dryness, the National Interagency Coordination Center has placed all of Georgia under an above-normal risk for significant fires through January and February.
Use caution
At Now Georgia, we urge residents to closely monitor daily fire danger forecasts. Avoid outdoor burning when fire danger is high or greater, and use extreme caution even on moderate days.
With dry fuels, low humidity, and wind, it will not take much for the next fire to spread fast.
