The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement warning of high fire danger conditions for Cobb County and much of the rest of north and central Georgia Friday afternoon and evening, April 8.

The cause for the high fire danger condition is the combination of gusty wind, low relative humidity, and dry fuel presenting the conditions for rapid spread of fire.

What is in the statement?

The statement gives the following details:

…HIGH FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY

EVENING FOR PARTS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA DUE TO STRONG GUSTY

WINDS…

Sustained winds of 15 to 20 MPH can be expected along with gusts

over 25 MPH. Relative Humidities south of a line from Columbus to

Macon to Sandersville are forecast to reach the mid 20s, with

relative humidity values north of this line to remain in the 30s.

With dry fuels, high fire danger conditions can be expected.

What counties are affected?

The following counties are affected:

Dade-Walker-Catoosa-Whitfield-Murray-Fannin-Gilmer-Union-Towns-

Chattooga-Gordon-Pickens-Dawson-Lumpkin-White-Floyd-Bartow-

Cherokee-Forsyth-Hall-Banks-Jackson-Madison-Polk-Paulding-Cobb-

North Fulton-Gwinnett-Barrow-Clarke-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Wilkes-

Haralson-Carroll-Douglas-South Fulton-DeKalb-Rockdale-Walton-

Newton-Morgan-Greene-Taliaferro-Heard-Coweta-Fayette-Clayton-

Spalding-Henry-Butts-Jasper-Putnam-Hancock-Warren-Troup-

Meriwether-Pike-Upson-Lamar-Monroe-Jones-Baldwin-Washington-

Glascock-Jefferson-Harris-Talbot-Taylor-Crawford-Bibb-Twiggs-

Wilkinson-Johnson-Emanuel-Muscogee-Chattahoochee-Marion-Schley-

Macon-Peach-Houston-Bleckley-Laurens-Treutlen-Stewart-Webster-

Sumter-Dooly-Crisp-Pulaski-Wilcox-Dodge-Telfair-Wheeler-

Montgomery-Toombs

How long does the danger last?

The high fire danger will continue into Friday evening.

What precautions should be taken?

The National Weather Service recommends extreme caution if you do outdoor burning during high fire danger conditions, and that you check your local fire ordinances.

>> To read a summary of Cobb County’s fire ordinances follow this link

About the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NWS describes its role as follows:

The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. These services include Forecasts and Observations, Warnings, Impact-based Decision Support Services, and Education in an effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation. The ultimate goal is to have a society that is prepared for and responds to weather, water and climate events.

Read all the Cobb County Courier climate and weather coverage by following this link.