ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - High fire risk continues as we begin next week. Ongoing drought, low relative humidity, and gusty winds will continue to create a volatile environment for fires, not much rain is in sight until next weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued Fire Weather Watches for Sunday and Monday, with the potential for upgrades to Red Flag Warnings in the future. Avoid burning at all costs.

The Threat Breakdown

Sunday marks the windiest day of the period, with north winds gusting as high as 25 mph following a passing cold front. A 20 percent chance of showers exists, but rainfall is expected to be minimal and will likely not bring enough to shut down the chances for fires or make any dents in the Exceptional Drought across SGA.

Monday presents the most critical fire weather conditions. Extremely low relative humidity combined with continued breezes will create a dangerous environment for rapid fire spread. Sunny and cooler highs in the upper 70s.

Drought Concerns

SGA is experiencing exceptional to extreme drought conditions that have persisted for weeks. Farmers report delayed planting and field preparation, with ground conditions so hard that farming equipment is being damaged. Very dry vegetation across the region has created a tinderbox effect, making any ignition source potentially catastrophic.

What You Should Do

• Avoid all outdoor burning this weekend
• Keep fire extinguishers and water sources readily available
• Monitor local fire bans and restrictions
• Report any fire activity immediately to emergency services
• Keep yard debris cleared away from structures
• Check on neighbors, especially the elderly

Looking Ahead

Relief from the drought pattern remains elusive. While a cold front will move through Sunday, brings minimal rainfall—less than a quarter inch in most areas. Conditions are expected to remain dry through the week with plenty of sunshine and highs in the low to mid-80s.

The exceptional drought will continue to be a concern for the foreseeable future, the next best chance of rain comes next weekend.

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