Smoke from wildfires in the North Georgia mountains is continuing to spread throughout the region, leading the state Environmental Protection Division to issue a Code Red air quality alert.

Smoky conditions could lead to unhealthy air quality for all groups, the EPD warns. It urges everyone to limit prolonged outdoor exposure while smoky conditions continue.

The National Weather Service predicts some relief by late Thursday as a cold front moves through and shifts wind direction, with clearing skies and falling temperatures by Saturday. However, the front isn’t likely to bring rain to ease the ongoing drought conditions that have led to rainfall totals some 18 inches below normal for the year.

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest has issued a total fire ban throughout the forest, including all campfires or grills. It provided the following update on the mountain fires, as of Wednesday afternoon:

• Rock Mountain Fire: Rabun and Towns counties, 6,747 acres, 10 percent contained in the Tallulah River Road, Straw Mountain Area.

• Timber Ridge Fire: Rabun County, 888 acres, 20 percent contained southeast of Clayton

• Burrell and Burrells 42 Fires: Rabun County, 185 acres, 100 percent contained on Ga. 28 near Burrells Ford

• Rough Ridge Fire: Murray and Fannin counties. 23,759 acres, 30 percent contained, Cohutta Wilderness.

• Strawberry Mountain Fire: Walker County, 477 acres, 100 percent contained, Strawberry Mountain near Manning Mill Creek

• Raven Fire: Union County, 20-plus acres, 100 percent contained, Raven Cliffs Wilderness

• Campbell Mountain Fire: Union County, 8 acres, 95 percent contained, northeast of Suches

• Campbell Mountain Fire: Union County, 22 acres, 100 percent contained, Campbell Mountain

• Chimney Top Fire: Union County, 3 acres, 100 percent contained, approximately 1.5 miles west of Brasstown Bald Visitor Center in the Brasstown Wilderness