NWS Fire Weather System
Across the country National Weather Service offices, in cooperation with regional forestry agencies, are tasked with forecasting fire weather and communicating dangers to the public using a system of increasingly critical statements, watches, and warnings ( also known as NWS Products ). These products are listed below in escalating risk.
Fire Danger Statement
A Fire Danger Statement is issued by NWS offices as a Special Weather Statement and is used to inform the public that conditions are expected to be exist that constitute an increased risk of fire spread but don’t reach the level of a Red Flag warning. While conditions are not as critical as with a Red Flag warning, they are still sufficient for rapid spread and issues maintaining controlled burns. The issuance of these statements are often at the request of the local forestry agencies.
Fire Weather Watch
A Fire Weather Watch is issued by NWS offices when conditions meeting the criteria for a Red Flag Warning are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Red Flag Warning
NWS offices issue Red Flag Warnings when meteorological conditions are expected to met within the next 24 hours. The required conditions differ from state to state but in Georgia are Relative Humidity equal to or less than 25% that has a duration of at least 1 hour, winds equal to or greater than 15 MPH or frequent gusts equal to or greater than 25 MPH, and a Fuel Moisture of less than or equal to 6%. These conditions are subject to change each year as NWS staff meet with forestry staff to develop a State Annual Operating Plan for fire weather services.
Forestry Agencies and Controlling Wildfire Risk
All areas of the country are served by either the US Forest Service or a Regional Forestry Agency. In Georgia we are served by the Georgia Forestry Commission. As part of their many duties, the Georgia Forestry Commission is tasked with managing the wildfire risk within the state. They accomplish this through proactive activities like prescribed burns, regulatory activities like the permitting and banning of burning activities, and by providing resources to contain and fight wildfires that do occur. In the context of this article two of these activities are relevant – permitting and firefighting.
Permitting & Annual Burn Ban
In 2021 the GA legislature amended the law relating to burn permits. This change eliminated the need for the Georgia Forestry Commission to be notified by anyone intending to burn hand-piled natural vegetation / yard debris. The code section, as amended, reads as follows in regards to not having to obtain a permit.
GA Code § 12-6-90 (2024) – View full code section on Justia.
(c)
(1) Unless otherwise provided by local ordinance, or where prohibited by general law or regulation, it shall not be necessary to obtain a permit otherwise required by subsection (a) of this Code section to burn leaf piles, yard debris, or hand-piled natural vegetation on the premises at which they occur, provided that the:
(A) Burning takes place between the official sunrise and the official sunset for the location where the burning is taking place;
(B) Location of the burning is no less than 25 feet from any woodlands, forestland, and/or open field that contains brush, grass, or other flammable material;
(C) Location of the burning is no less than 50 feet from any structure, including outbuildings, sheds, barns, and homes;
(D) Person responsible shall attend the burning at all times until completely extinguished and there is no risk for the buring to escape control;
(E) Person responsible shall take necessary precautions to prevent escape or spread from the original location; and
(F) Person responsible shall be liable for any resulting damage to adjacent properties.
In 2005, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division enacted an annual open burning ban that takes place each summer from May 1st to September 30th. The ban affects 54 counties that surround the Atlanta metro area and covers the time period known as the “summer ozone season”. The ban was enacted when the EPD identified open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone and effect air quality.
Notably barbeques and campfires are exempt from the ban. Permits can be issued for the following exemptions: Agricultural Burning, Operation of open flame equipment, Fire-fighting training, Explosive disposal, and Forestry ” Prescribed Burning “. The last exemption for prescribed burning can not be exempted for the 19 counties that the EPD recognizes as metro-Atlanta, which includes Coweta County.
Firefighting Resources and Activities
The Georgia Forestry Commission maintains staff and resources that actively provide resources to fight wildfires across the state from state and federally owned lands to working with local agencies to fight wildfires on public and private property. These resources include manpower, speciality equipment including bulldozers, brush units capable of reaching areas of rough terrain, and aircraft capable of observation and water or retardant delivery. GFC is also able to provide extensive experience and knowledge on wildfire firefighting.