Dense smoke from larger fires will push into inland Southeast Georgia Friday into Saturday morning, producing unhealthy air in affected areas and prompting a Dense Smoke Advisory through 12 p.m. Friday for portions of Southeast Georgia, including Brantley County, where a 5,000-acre wildfire continues to spread.
Detailed forecast
- Dense Smoke Advisory (through 12 p.m. Friday): inland portions of SE GA. Expect reduced visibility and periods of heavy smoke, especially along I‑95 this afternoon/evening. Monitor airnow.gov for real‑time AQI.
- Air Quality: Smoke likely to push AQI into Unhealthy (Code Red) in places — sensitive groups should take precautions.
- Fire weather: Inland RH under 35% with extreme-to-exceptional drought area-wide — new fires can spread quickly. Avoid any open flames or spark‑producing activities.
- Coastal hazards: Moderate rip current risk at area beaches today — swim near lifeguards and heed flags.
- Thunderstorms: Isolated to widely scattered afternoon/evening storms possible this weekend and again later next week; storm coverage is uncertain.
Dense Smoke Advisory — criteria & tips
- Typical criteria: smoke causing visibly reduced visibility (often 1/4–1/2 mile or less) and/or PM2.5 concentrations expected to push AQI into the Unhealthy range (AQI 151+) for several hours. Confirm local threshold with the NWS office.
- Quick public tips:
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
- Run a HEPA air purifier or HVAC on recirculate with a clean filter.
- If you must go outside, wear an N95/KN95 respirator — cloth masks don’t stop fine smoke particles.
- Avoid outdoor exercise and strenuous activity.
- Keep car vents closed and set to recirculate while driving.
- Follow your medical action plan; contact your doctor if breathing worsens.
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Air Quality Index (AQI) — what the codes mean
- Code Green / Yellow: Air generally safe for everyone.
- Code Orange: Unhealthy for sensitive groups (children, seniors, heart/lung disease).
- Code Red / Purple: Unhealthy for everyone.
- Code Maroon: Health warning — emergency conditions.(Real-time AQI: airnow.gov)
Impacts
- Travel: Reduced visibility and heavy smoke along I‑95 may slow traffic and create hazards; expect delays.
- Schools/Youth Sports: Outdoor activities should be moved indoors or canceled where AQI is Orange or worse.
- Health: Asthma, COPD, heart patients, pregnant people, older adults and children face higher risk — watch for coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath.
- Fire risk: Low RH + drought = greater chance of new, fast-spreading fires; local burn bans likely.