The deepening drought in Georgia is creating serious wildfire
problems, record low stream flows and low reservoir and
groundwater levels.

With drought conditions worsening across Georgia during the first
week of November, the wildfire danger statewide is rated high to
extreme, according to the Georgia Forestry
Commission.

Coupled with a killing freeze, very low relative humidity and
freshly fallen leaves, the drought has made Georgia very
susceptible to wildfires.

Most wildfires are caused by careless burning of debris such as
leaves and household garbage. Others are caused by farm machine
use, such as mowing. Anyone who uses Georgia’s outdoors needs to
be mindful of fire hazards from other sources, too, such as
cigarettes, motorized vehicles, chainsaws and other powered
tools — any spark-producing activities.

Soil Moisture Short

Across Georgia during the first week of November, rain was
minimal and soil moisture loss around one-half inch. Soil
moisture is reported to be short to very short in 87 percent
of the state’s soils, according the Georgia Agricultural
Statistics Service. This follows an extremely dry three
months.

Analysis from the National Climatic Data Center shows that October
2001 was Georgia’s 15th driest October in 107 years.
August-through-October 2001 was the state’s 11th driest
August-through-October on record.

Record low stream flows are reported on the middle and lower
Flint River, the lower Oconee, the upper Altamaha and Broad
River. Streams south of the mountains are near record low
flows.

Groundwater levels remain low across south Georgia. Several
locations are at or near record low levels.

No Relief in Near Future

No large-scale rain event is expected in the near future, so
drought conditions will continue to worsen through the middle of
the month. Water conservation measures are desirable.

The long-lead outlook for winter is not clear. Current National Weather Service
predictions are for equal chances of below-normal, near-normal
and above-normal winter precipitation.

Other sources of Georgia drought information:

• UGA and State Drought Page:
  www.georgiadrought.org
• UGA Automated Weather Stations: www.griffin.peachnet.edu/bae/
• GFC Wildfire Weather:
  weather.gfc.state.ga.us/
• USGS Hydrologic Conditions:
  wwwga.usgs.gov/news/drought99/