Why Hurricane Helene Affects Fires Burning In Georgia Right Now

InnovationScienceWhy Hurricane Helene Affects Fires Burning In Georgia Right NowByMarshall Shepherd,Senior Contributor.Follow AuthorApr 23, 2026, 09:56am EDTApr 23, 2026, 09:59am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Smoke from fires burning on the morning of April 23, 2026.NOAAWildfires are burning throughout Georgia and northern Florida this week. Both states are currently under extreme and exceptional drought conditions. Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for 91 counties. While drought is a critical factor in the fires, there is an unlikely contributor that may surprise you. Here’s why Hurricane Helene (2024) may be making the fires worse.“With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the state’s 5-year average and continue to spread,” said Governor Kemp. Other proactive actions by the state include a rare Burn Ban Order issued earlier in the week. So why is Hurricane Helene, which happened almost two years ago, relevant to these wildfires?Peak wind gusts from Hurricane Helene (2024).NOAA and NWSAs Hurricane Helene moved through the state of Georgia, it produced a swath of damaging tropical storm force winds. Many parts of the state experienced wind gusts exceeding hurricane strength. These winds brought down a significant number of trees in the state. "Private forested land accounted for 88%of the impacted land ownership within the hurricane’s path," according to a report issued by the Georgia Forestry Commission. The Commission estimated that almost 9 million acres of forestland in Georgia was within the path of Helene. The timber resource impact was almost $1.3 Billion.Tree damage map and the swath of Hurricane Helene.USDA and USFSMORE FOR YOUMuch of that timber is still on the ground and is very dry. Just recently, experts in North Carolina noted there are more trees and debris on the ground in the fores...