Bears in Catoosa County

A mother bear and her two cubs were spotted this morning near an elementary school in Catoosa County. The Department of Natural Resources says the bears migrate west each year. While they’re not considered dangerous, DNR and local law enforcement are closely following their progress. Because it’s a natural process, the bears will remain undisturbed unless they pose a threat to public safety.

State tightens faucet as drought worsens (Updated)

Officials ratcheted up watering restrictions from level 1 to level 2 Wednesday as dry conditions widened across the state.

Georgia residents are now allowed to water their lawns only between midnight and 10 a.m.

Violators in Jones County are subject to a graduated series of verbal and written warnings, and increasing fines in upwards of $500.

The state has been in a level 1 drought since last summer, and midday watering was already forbidden between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The state climatologist says the driest areas include Polk, Floyd, Chattooga, Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties in northwest Georgia. Also dry are the counties lining the most southeastern corner of the state.

Firefighters in southeast Georgia are struggling to contain two wildfires that are engulfing 45-sq. miles. The blazes forced over 1,000 people from their homes, and torched 14 houses.

Eric Mosley, spokesman for the Georgia Forestry Commission says the fires are threatening the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Updated GPB reports on the fires are here.

Updated Georgia Forestry Commission Fire Weather information is here.

NASA satellite image of the area.
The original image is here.

(Rickey Bevington contributed to this report)