Increased Fire Danger Today; Freeze Warning Again Tonight

The National Weather Service has issued AN INCREASED FIRE DANGER FOR OCONEE COUNTY FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING. Forecasters said that very dry air will continue to settle into the area today. The combination of slightly warmer air temperatures and continued very dry dew point temperatures will yield minimum relative humidity values in the 15 to 20 percent range this afternoon. The very dry air will combine with rapidly drying brush and other surface fuels to increase fire danger despite the diminishing winds. Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities on whether or not you can burn today. And a FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 10 AM EDT THURSDAY. Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.