As sunny skies and mild temperatures encourage outside activities this afternoon, officials say area residents have reason to be wary.

According to the National Weather Service:

A red flag warning, a caution put out when conditions are ripe for the spread of fires, is in effect for several north and central Georgia counties — including Walker, Catoosa, Chattooga, Gordon, Floyd, Bartow and Polk.

The warning, issued today due to low relative humidity, will remain in effect until 8 p.m., and fire conditions are not expected to improve Monday.

A summer burn ban forbidding the burning of yard and land debris has been in effect since late April.

Rome was still a few degrees shy of today’s forecast high of 83 degrees as of 2 p.m., having hit only 80 so far this afternoon. Tonight’s low is expected to drop into the lower 40s.

The forecast for the rest of the week for Greater Rome:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 84.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 82.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 83.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 86