While most of the wildfire attention in the south has been focused on North and South Carolina the past few days, Georgia is also seeing it share of such fires – some as close to Gainesville as Dawson, White, Lumpkin, and Banks counties. Also in northeast Geogia, fires have been reported in Rabun County, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC).
The fires in Dawson and Banks counties consumed 1.5 and 7.4 acres, respectively, and were 100% contained as of Monday night. The status of the fires in Rabun, White and Lumpkin was unknown Monday evening and at last report totaled 22 acres early in the afternoon with the largest, 15 acres, being in Rabun.
Just in the past week, the GFC reports close to 500 fires burned more than 6,000 acres.
“The number one cause of these fires is escaped debris burning,” said GFC Director Johnny Sabo. “Fortunately, our crews have been able to respond aggressively to keep individual fire sizes small. However, we need the public’s vigilance for preventing wildfire in the days ahead.”
Statistics reported by the GFC show the number of wildfires and acreage burned in Georgia has risen over the state’s five-year average. Recent fires have led to the death of one person, and to a number of structure and vehicle losses.
Georgia is also “in the red” for March, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Significant wildfire potential has been predicted for this month, indicating a greater than usual likelihood that significant wildfires will occur.
“Any spark that takes hold outdoors is capable of igniting a large wildfire,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Protection Chief Thomas Barrett. “That means one ember from a backyard leaf pile, grill, or campfire can spark a dangerous fire. Also hot machinery on dry grasses or a tossed cigarette. Human involvement is the reason behind these fires and the answer to preventing them as well.”
Real-time fire updates can be viewed here: fiResponse – Public Viewer, which is also linked on GFC’s website, GaTrees.org.