Wildfire — Northern Ware, Georgia

2019-05-18 to 2019-05-31 · Northern Ware, Georgia

Event narrative

The Compartment #1 fire was started by a lightning strike on Saturday May 18th. The fire quickly increased in intensity around 2 pm on Sunday May 19th due to hot and dry conditions. By May 23rd, the fire was 98% contained and grew to 185 acres. There were not reports of property damage as the fire was held in the Okefenokee NWR. On 6/6, the fire was 100% contained.

Wider weather episode

Wildfire potential was elevated across portions of SE GA and NE FL due to recent rainfall deficits and low ground moisture. Record high temperatures and an extended period of low afternoon humidity created an elevated fire danger despite not meeting locally defined Red Flag Conditions. Isolated storms created lightning start fires, including the Perimeter Fire.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 819126. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.