Strong Winds and Dry Conditions Spark Wildfires in Habersham County

Strong March winds last week and over the weekend have resulted in forest fires in Habersham County as well as the mountains of North Carolina.

Over the weekend, Habersham County Emergency Services and Georgia Forestry Commission with assistance from local fire departments successfully knocked down and contained a wildfire in the Clarkesville area, according to Redbird Media’s Facebook page.

The fire started in some woods off Forest Trail but spread to a neighborhood off Little Eagle Mountain Road, swept up by the high winds and dry conditions.

According to the RedBird post, the wildfire threatened those homes for a time but firefighters were able to get it under control and no homes were damaged.

On Sunday evening, firefighters were also working a wildfire at Hester Gap along US 19/129 between Turner’s Corner and DeSoto Falls.

According to the Georgia Forestry Commission and the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, most of North Georgia had been under a fire weather watch until Monday night.

An increased fire danger is still in effect through tonight due to the dry conditions and low humidity.

The Georgia Forestry Commission discourages any outdoor burning until conditions improve.

Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Protection Chief Frank Sorrells said in a press release that low relative humidity, along with high gusty winds means a higher potential for wildfires.

He said even with recent rainfall, the ability to control open burning under this dry weather is difficult and resulting wildfires can spread rapidly and cause harm to people, damage to homes and other structures, as well as loss of timberlands.

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg is calling for rain beginning early Thursday morning and warmer temperatures.

For more information about fire weather, fire safety, and services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit GaTrees.org.