High winds and dry conditions led to a small fire getting out of hand the afternoon of Oct. 31.

When all was said and done, approximately half an acre was burned, and an abandoned mobile home also received minimal damage, said Lanier Swafford, chief with Dawson County Emergency Services.

The fire took place off Clayton Chester Road, which veers off of Burt Creek Road. A homeowner in the area was burning garbage, and the windy conditions quickly led to the flames getting out of control.

Its a reminder that burning garbage is illegal, and burning fires in periods of high wind is not recommended, Swafford said.

The Georgia Forestry Commission actually spotted the fire first. According to Swafford, the GFC flies planes over the area during this time of year, when the dry conditions can lead to a high risk of fire.

I cant say enough about the GFC, Swafford said. They do a great job.

Weather conditions that Wednesday afternoon were sunny and dry, with low humidity. The following day, Nov. 1, the National Weather Service had issued a special weather statement warning Dawson County residents of high fire danger conditions due to low relative humidity.