Burn Ban Lifted
At the December 6, 2016 Board of Commissioner’s meeting, the BOC lifted the immediate burn ban that they announced on November 4, 2016.
A Resolution of the Gordon County Board of Commissioners
Due to the extreme drought, dry conditions, and high winds, the Gordon County Board of Commissioners met in an emergency session and have declared and imposed an immediate county-wide temporary ban on all types of outdoor open burning, including campfires, open cooking fires, warming fires, and bonfires.
At the request of the Gordon County Fire Chief, this ban is effective today, November 4, 2016, at 3:00 pm and shall remain in effect until such time as the current extreme drought conditions and the risk to life and property have been diminished and the ban has been officially lifted.
So Resolved this 4th day of November, 2016.
Signed by the chairman of the Board of Commissioners (Signatures on file).
From the Gordon County Fire & Rescue Department
Gordon County Fire and Rescue Department would like to to bring everyone’s attention the extreme fire danger in our area. If you are going to be out this weekend or cleaning up around the house be EXTREMELY careful to not start fires and be very careful with any sparks. Help out public safety by being diligent and doing your part. It doesn’t take much to create a real mess in these type of drought conditions. It is also important to note that there are NO BURNING PERMITS BEING ISSUED FOR GORDON COUNTY AT THIS TIME.
WEATHER OVERVIEW for November 4-7, 2016:
Dry and windy conditions behind a cold front late Thursday will enhance the wildfire threat beginning late Thursday through the weekend. (with a focus on Friday). No/little rain expected through at least 7 days.
Persistent dry conditions continue to lead to and increase an already very high fire danger across much of the state. No substantial rainfall is forecast for the week ahead and potentially out another 10 days. A primarily dry frontal passage Late Thursday -> Friday will further increase the fire danger threat Friday and into Sat/Sun.
Forecast and Impacts:
A cold front will push through the area Thursday night into Friday, bringing gusty northerly winds and an even drier air mass.
Winds:
Northerly winds up to 15 mph with wind gusts of 20 to 25 mph can be expected Friday before subsiding to 5 to 10 mph on Saturday. Wind gusts over 30 mph are possible as early as Thursday evening on higher ridge tops through Friday afternoon.
Humidity:
This front will usher in a much drier air mass, with low relative humidity values from Friday into the weekend. Humidity values will drop to around 30% on Friday afternoon and as low as around 25% on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Fuel Moisture:
Fuel moisture continues in the 6% – 10% range in the afternoon.(which is very low making things burn very easily without resistance)
Fire Risk:
Beginning late Thursday night across North GA with the passage of a front, low humidities, long term dryness in fuels, dry fall foliage, and strong gusty winds will make for an enhanced fire danger risk not only for possible new wildfires but also to enhance existing fires.
For perspective on our current drought:
Rome GA is on day 37 of total measurable rain less than/equal to 0.01″ which is the longest such streak since records began in 1948. *0.01″ reported on 10/16
Cartersville GA recorded 0.00″ during the month of October. If we use Atlanta for reference (since records go back to 1878), no month in the period of record for Atlanta has a 0.00″ been recorded. *Cartersville records only date back to 2000.
