The NWS says low humidity and brisk winds make for ideal conditions for such fires and that the Red Flag Warning is in effect today and tonight.
TEXT OF THE NWS STATEMENT:
FIRE WEATHER WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
DADE-WALKER-CATOOSA-WHITFIELD-MURRAY-FANNIN-GILMER-UNION-TOWNS-HABERSHAM-STEPHENS-RABUN-CHATTOOGA-GORDON-PICKENS-DAWSON-LUMPKIN-WHITE-FLOYD-BARTOW-
CHEROKEE-FORSYTH-HALL-BANKS-JACKSON-MADISON-POLK-PAULDING-COBB-
NORTH FULTON-GWINNETT-BARROW-CLARKE-OCONEE-HARALSON-CARROLL-
DOUGLAS-SOUTH FULTON-DEKALB-ROCKDALE-WALTON-NEWTON-HEARD-COWETA-
FAYETTE-CLAYTON-HENRY COUNITES.
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR NORTH GEORGIA FOR LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
AND GUSTY WINDS...
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR NORTH GEORGIA ALONG AND NORTH OF A
LINE FROM HEARD COUNTY TO NEWTON COUNTY TO MADISON COUNTY.
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES AROUND 25 PERCENT OR LESS AND SUSTAINED WINDS
OF 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH DRY FUELS
TO CREATE DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
THIS WATCH INCLUDES THE CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL FOREST.
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT THERE IS HIGH POTENTIAL FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN 12 TO 72
HOURS. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.
PLEASE REFER TO YOUR LOCAL BURN PERMITTING AUTHORITIES ON WHETHER
YOU MAY BURN OUTDOORS. IF YOU DO BURN OUTSIDE...USE EXTREME
Smoke from NE Georgia forest fire last year.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/9/213626