Story Created:
Oct 22, 2010 at 2:49 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Oct 22, 2010 at 2:49 PM EDT
Georgia authorities are warning that a lack of rain could raise the likelihood of severe wildfires.
Georgia authorities are warning that a lack of rain could raise the likelihood of severe wildfires.
The state's Forestry Commission raised its drought index this week to 650 out of a possible 800 and issued the warning over blazes.
The commission's protection chief, Alan Dozier, told the Douglas County Sentinel that most wildfires are started by backyard burns that get out of control.
State climatologist David Stooksbury, a professor of engineering at the University of Georgia, said the La Nina climate pattern may make dry conditions worse. He said the pattern normally produces warm and dry conditions from October through mid-April.
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