Chattooga County and the rest of northwest Georgia are expected to remain under elevated fire danger conditions this week as dry air, warm temperatures, and gusty winds continue across the region.

Forecasters say fire weather concerns will persist through the week, with a Red Flag Warning in effect across far north Georgia and fire danger concerns continuing farther south. In northwest Georgia, low humidity, dry vegetation, and limited rainfall are combining to create conditions that could allow fires to start and spread more easily.

Temperatures are also expected to stay well above normal, with highs climbing into the 80s and some areas nearing record territory by midweek. The warm, rain-free pattern is expected to continue for several more days, increasing concerns that drought conditions will worsen across the area.

Winds out of the southwest are expected to increase during the afternoons, with gusts in far north Georgia reaching as high as 20 to 25 miles per hour. Even though some clouds may pass through at times, little to no meaningful rainfall is expected over the next seven days.

Looking ahead, dry and unusually warm weather is expected to remain in place through at least Friday, with only a slight chance of rain possibly approaching northwest Georgia by next weekend. Until then, officials urge residents across Chattooga County and surrounding northwest Georgia communities to avoid outdoor burning and use extreme caution with anything that could spark a fire.