Are you thinking about clearing out your yard in the near future? You may want to think twice about lighting a fire.

Areas of the Southeast including North Georgia have been plagued lately by fires made more likely by a dangerous mix of conditions.

“We are at red flag conditions almost daily,” Dawson County Manager Joey Leverette told DCN.

A red flag warning refers to a type of alert that’s issued when warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds together present a higher fire danger risk, according to the National Weather Service.

You can get those warnings through smartphone-based weather apps, radio stations, the National Weather Service or the “Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services” Facebook pages and the NWS website, forecast.weather.gov.

More burn guidance is available on the Georgia Forestry Commission website 

at www.gatrees.org or call the local Georgia Forestry office at (706) 216-2713.

Dawson County Emergency Services has recently responded to several brush fires, and some of Dawson’s neighbors have been quelling larger-scale fires worsened by the red flag conditions in recent weeks.

On one hand, the Georgia Forestry Service has been conducting prescribed or controlled burns to help get ahead of the problem, like the burns done Thursday in the Steele Bridge Road and Tanner Road areas of Dawson County.

“Lot of folks are thinking about yard work and spring clean-up this time of the year...but conditions are really bad for outdoor burning currently,” Leverette added.

In a recent social media post, Dawson County Emergency Services shared several fire prevention and safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association.

Residents can help make areas around their homes safer by:

·      Cleaning roofs and gutters of yard debris (dead leaves, pine needles, etc.)

·      Replacing or fixing missing shingles or roof tiles

·      Installing 1/8-inch metal mesh screening to help catch embers

·      Replacing or fixing damaged or loose window screens or broken windows

·      Screening or boxing in areas below patios & decks with wire mesh

·      Moving mulch or flammable plant materials away from wall exteriors

·      Removing items stored under decks or porches

The Lumpkin County. Sheriff’s Office, whose area has recently dealt with numerous fires, suggested people check daily conditions with the Georgia Forestry Commission and have a water hose nearby if they are going to burn debris. 

·      “Stay safe and also remember to have an evacuation plan in the event of a wildfire,” the Dawson County Emergency Services post added.

 The nearby Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, whose area has recently dealt with numerous fires, suggested people check daily conditions with the Georgia Forestry Commission and have a water hose nearby if they are going to burn debris. 

“Stay safe and also remember to have an evacuation plan in the event of a wildfire,” the Dawson County Emergency Services post added.