GA Wildfires Explode, Air Quality Alert For Metro Atlanta

Updated 12:54 p.m.

As several wildfires torch thousands of acres of homes and crops in Georgia, smoke and haze in metro Atlanta has prompted a code orange air quality alert.

This is amid a severe drought and ahead of a rain pattern that could enter the metro area through early next week.

Members of the Georgia Forestry Commission responded to 34 new wildfires, spanning 75,000 acres, Wednesday across the state. (VIDEO: Clinch County wildfire)

The GFC said this does not include the nearly 30,000 acres burning along Pineland Road in Clinch County, where the blaze was 10 percent contained, or the wildfire wreaking havoc on nearly 4,500 acres along Highway 92 in Brantley County. The latter was 15 percent contained as of Wednesday.

A state of emergency was ordered Wednesday in addition to the GFC's mandatory burn ban for 91 counties. Both are in effect for 30 days.

A severe drought is the source of the threatening wildfires, which also burns in neighboring Florida, according to multiple officials in Georgia and media reports.

The GFC said 98 percent of the state is experiencing a moderate to exceptional drought. Current wildfires have surpassed the five-year average, according to the agency.

The GFC's interactive map was heavily decorated with icons pinpointing wildfire locations, largely in south and coastal Georgia. Most appeared to be controlled.

Brantley, Clinch Fires

The wildfires have triggered response from multiple agencies, both local and state, as crews work to extinguish the flames that have destroyed 53 homes. (VIDEO: A wildfire wrecks land in Clinch.)

The bays and swamps of Clinch are causing difficulty in suppressing the Pineland fire, the GFC said. A low 20 percent humidity level and a level D4 drought are contributors for the fire's resistance to being controlled.

Nearly 100 personnel were assigned to the Pineland blaze, and there is a temporary flight restriction in place.

Smoke was expected to impact nearby Valdosta, Homerville and Fargo.

Brantley was also a D4 drought level, where humidity was below 20 percent. The GFC said 1,000 homes are threatened.

"The fire remains under a full suppression strategy, indicating aggressive efforts to control it. Fire behavior is described as extreme, with wind-driven runs, spotting and group torching," the GFC said of the Brantley fire.

Areas from Browntown Road from Highway 92 to Greenleaf are under an evacuation order.

Burn Ban In Cherokee County

A countywide burn ban is in effect in Cherokee County, effective immediately until further notice, according to Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services on Thursday.

The order was issued for all outdoor burning activities in Cherokee's various cities and in unincorporated Cherokee, which has been placed under a severe drought classification.

"These dry conditions, combined with low humidity and limited recent rainfall, have significantly increased the potential for outdoor fire activity throughout the county," fire officials said in a news release.

"Compounding the risk, many resources that typically support local wildfire response efforts have been deployed to other parts of the state to assist with active wildfires. This reduction in available regional support limits the ability to quickly contain and control fires should they occur."

Fire officials encouraged residents to prevent accidental fires by avoiding activities that may lead to sparks, properly disposing of smoking materials and remaining vigilant in reporting signs of smoke or fire to 911.

They added violators of the ban could result in fines or "other enforcement actions."

"Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services will continue to monitor conditions closely and will provide updates as circumstances change," fire officials said.

The National Weather Service said humidity levels were low and vegetation was very dry Thursday, heightening fire danger.

Humidity levels of 30 percent or less were expected for at least 4 hours into Thursday evening.

Wildfire smoke was expected to hinder some visibility and reduce the air quality in north and central Georgia. Fire weather is anticipated Friday afternoon and evening, the NWS reported.

Air Quality Alert Issued In GA

The National Weather Service has issued a code orange air quality alert due to the ozone and smoke conditions Thursday in metro Atlanta and surrounding counties.

Orange denotes an air quality index of between 101-150 while an index of above 150 is considered code red, with health effects spreading to members of the general public.

Code orange means that the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups including children, seniors, people with asthma and people with lung/heart diseases. Those groups may want to minimize strenuous activity and time spent outdoors, according to the NWS.

RELATED: State Of Emergency Declared For 91 GA Counties Due To Raging Wildfires

Air quality alerts are triggered by a number of factors, including the detection of fine-particle pollution — known as “PM 2.5” — which can irritate the lungs. As of Thursday morning, the air quality was moderate.

People considered to be in sensitive groups are those with lung disease such as asthma, children and teens, older adults and people who are routinely active outdoors for six or more hours a day, according to the national government-operated monitoring platform AirNow.Gov.

Georgia's AQI is forecast to reach 101 Thursday. Code orange stretches between 101 and 150.

Ozone forms when sunlight triggers a chemical reaction between airborne pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. While these ozone-forming pollutants typically come from vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, wildfire smoke can also contribute to their presence. Ozone pollution is most prevalent in densely populated regions, where traffic and industrial activity are concentrated.

Could Rain Put Out Wildfires?

The GFC on Wednesday said "no significant rainfall" was expected as "wildfire activity remains elevated across Georgia."

However, after 2 a.m. Friday, scattered thunderstorms are expected to roll into metro Atlanta and surrounding counties.

A frontal boundary will precede the storms, which could be plentiful.

The NWS did not report widespread severe weather, but weather officials said isolated severe storms are possible.

It is currently unknown if the downpour will offer a reprieve from the persistent drought.