With the drought continuing to worsen (see separate story), Smokey Bear and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) want to have a word with you.
Increasing fire danger across north Georgia, fueled by dry conditions and rising temperatures, is prompting fire personnel to urge all of us to take precautions to prevent human-caused wildfires and avoid debris burning until conditions improve.
Now through April 7, a multiagency national fire prevention and education team, representing personnel from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and the (USFS), is working with counties and local agencies to educate residents and visitors about wildfire safety and prevention.
“Everybody needs to be aware of the dangers of wildfire,” said Mark Wiles, team leader for the national fire prevention education team. “There are a lot of things people can do to protect homes, property and public land from wildfire. During this focused effort on fire prevention, our goal is to provide the knowledge people need to help keep our public lands and communities safe.”
Human-caused fires, including debris burning, vehicle-related fires and escaped campfires, account for most wildfires in Georgia. The public is encouraged to enjoy the outdoors but do so “responsibly” and check fire use guidelines before burning. One spark can ignite quickly and start a wildfire.
Learn more about wildfire prevention at GATrees.org and the webpage for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest at: www.fs.usda.gov/chattahoochee-oconee.