Thanks to regular rain this summer, drought conditions in North Georgia have improved from an extended “extreme drought” classification this spring to a lower level of “severe drought” as of June 24, per the National Integrated Drought Information System.
But even though the skies have been opening up quite a bit lately, Union County is still facing drought. This can be seen most clearly in Lake Nottely, which remains close to 3 feet below the lower expected range for normal summer pool, exposing more shoreline and larger lake debris.
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Union County Fire Chief David Dyer said summer does not typically bring the most concern for wildfires and brush fires that can endanger lives and properties; seasonally, fall and spring see the highest chances of outdoor fires due to drier conditions and people burning yard waste.
Still, the chances of fires breaking out this summer are elevated due to the ongoing drought creating drier than normal conditions, especially amid nicer weather when more people are outdoors and using fire recreationally.
“We have a rain deficit,” Chief Dyer said. “I think it’s about 4 ½ or 5 inches, even after the rain that we get just about every evening with these afternoon thunderstorms.
“The bad thing about still being at that much of a deficit is, going a couple of days with no rain or storms dries things out really quickly. So, that could continue to keep our fire danger going and affect everything: trees, crops, all kinds of stuff.”
One thing that has worsened drought conditions is the unseasonably warm weather this summer, as greater heat increases ground evaporation, even in a drought. Last week saw some cooler temps move in, but July and August are usually the hottest months here, according to Dyer.
“We’ve had some pretty warm weather coming along,” Dyer said. “The high temperatures have been getting up into the high 90s, so that keeps drying things out. I know we have an afternoon thunderstorm every once in a while, but it’s still not enough rain to catch us up for the year.”
Dyer said that even under normal conditions, residents and visitors must take precautions when setting fires outside, and people should be extra careful during a drought.
For outdoor burning, Dyer recommends checking the weather for favorable conditions – higher relative humidity and low wind are necessary for safe burning – and he advises folks to follow the “Take Five” SSTAR campaign available at https://gatrees.org/.
The same guidelines are helpful for recreational campfires or firepits, which can kick off embers that float into drier-than-usual woods and fields and even onto homes to start a fire.
Regardless of the type of outdoor activity, Dyer said fires should never be left unattended, and yard piles should be extinguished before sunset.
The fire chief also urges residents not to overreact to the smell of smoke outside, as normal burn activities are still being practiced, from yard debris to lot clearing for construction.
Last month marked the 53rd driest June in 132 years of recordkeeping, and January to June 2026 was the 34th driest year-to-date on record as well, according to drought.gov, which also noted that “drought conditions are expected to remain but improve over the next month.”
In the meantime, in addition to Dyer’s safety recommendations for outdoor fire, the Tennessee Valley Authority is asking people to be careful during recreational outings on Lake Nottely.
“With low water levels, boaters are encouraged to exercise extra caution and use sonar, if available, to look out for rocks, stumps, debris, sandbars and other hazards that are typically underwater,” TVA said. “This is especially important for anyone who is navigating a watercraft on an unfamiliar reservoir.
“Boaters are urged to always have a float plan and share it with someone on shore. This includes their trip itinerary, operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board.”
