CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 11/09/01

Threat of Drought-fueled Wildfires High

Keetch-Byram Drought Index
As of Nov. 8, 2001, 1 p.m. EST
The deepening drought in Georgia is creating serious wildfire problems, record low stream flows and low reservoir and groundwater levels.

With drought conditions worsening across Georgia during the first week of November, the wildfire danger statewide is rated high to extreme, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Coupled with a killing freeze, very low relative humidity and freshly fallen leaves, the drought has made Georgia very susceptible to wildfires.

Most wildfires are caused by careless burning of debris such as leaves and household garbage. Others are caused by farm machine use, such as mowing. Anyone who uses Georgia's outdoors needs to be mindful of fire hazards from other sources, too, such as cigarettes, motorized vehicles, chainsaws and other powered tools -- any spark-producing activities.

Soil Moisture Short

Across Georgia during the first week of November, rain was minimal and soil moisture loss around one-half inch. Soil moisture is reported to be short to very short in 87 percent of the state's soils, according the Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service. This follows an extremely dry three months.

Analysis from the National Climatic Data Center shows that October 2001 was Georgia's 15th driest October in 107 years. August-through-October 2001 was the state's 11th driest August-through-October on record.

Record low stream flows are reported on the middle and lower Flint River, the lower Oconee, the upper Altamaha and Broad River. Streams south of the mountains are near record low flows.

Groundwater levels remain low across south Georgia. Several locations are at or near record low levels.

No Relief in Near Future

No large-scale rain event is expected in the near future, so drought conditions will continue to worsen through the middle of the month. Water conservation measures are desirable.

The long-lead outlook for winter is not clear. Current National Weather Service predictions are for equal chances of below-normal, near-normal and above-normal winter precipitation.

Other sources of Georgia drought information:

Fire Danger Rating
As of Nov. 8, 2001, 2:30 p.m. EST

David Emory Stooksbury is associate professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D.
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time to spend more of the holiday with guests, taking time ahead of the day to set expectations can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. CAES News
Manage holiday stress with kindness, boundaries 11/21/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Much like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time allows you to spend more of the holiday with guests, setting expectations ahead of the celebration can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science.
Conner Hall CAES News
CAES welcomes 2024 cohort of Rural Scholars 11/20/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences welcomed its fourth cohort of students chosen for the CAES Rural Scholars Program this fall just weeks after celebrating the program's first graduation. Georgia Orman, one of four inaugural Rural Scholars in CAES, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. The new scholars for 2024, all from Georgia, are Ela Ash of Ocilla, Lauren E. Coley of Cochran, Amelia Housley of Canon, and London O’Steen of Ambrose.
Women play a vital role in rural American farming, but much of that work is "invisible," like raising children or household chores, according to a new UGA study. (Getty Images) CAES News
The women and stress behind rural farming in America 11/19/24 Leigh Hataway
Recent research from the University of Georgia suggests the unique stresses from farm life may be taking a toll on one of the pillars of the families that make your dinners possible: the women who keep farming families running. “If we don’t control our food sources, we don’t control our health and safety,” said Anna Scheyett, lead author of the study and a professor in UGA’s School of Social Work. “It’s a matter of national security that farmers survive in the United States. And one of the big factors in helping farms survive is women.”
Mergoum at Creature Comforts CAES News
That's the spirit! 11/18/24 Maria M. Lameiras, Claire Sanders Kinnard
Wheat breeders spend years meticulously crossing varieties to coax the best traits out of each species, carefully propagating plant varieties that are healthier, heartier and better suited for the environments where they are grown. Professional brewmasters are equally painstaking when choosing the components that will give their beers a specific flavor profile.
Contest-winning concept becomes viable business for alumnus who developed solar-powered, self-propelled chicken coop as a student. CAES News
Poultry in motion 11/14/24 Sean Montgomery
Chris Ayers emerged from his orange and black rough-terrain vehicle with an ear-to-ear grin. “This is Chiktopia,” he said, sweeping his arm wide to indicate the back half of a 3,600-square-foot warehouse on his family’s farm in Ball Ground, Georgia. “This is where I manufacture and assemble the chicken coops. Everything is done entirely from over here.”
UGA Grand Farm Site Plan web CAES News
UGA Grand Farm wins stage two of 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund competition 11/13/24 Jordan Powers
Startups in the agricultural technology sector face significant barriers on the path to establishment, including access to training and capital. These barriers are heightened for underrepresented entrepreneurs seeking to start new companies. The University of Georgia Grand Farm, part of a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm, aims to change that.