Georgia wildfire risk highest in 50 years; outdoor burning ban applies to Wilkes

Greg Scott was the first Wilkes County firefighter on the scene of a brushfire in Tyrone Tuesday, and fought wind-whipped flames singlehandedly until reinforcements arrived. Drought, high temperatures, and low humidity put all of Georgia at the highest risk of wildfires in years.

As wildfires burn some 65,000 acres in south Georgia, Wilkes County firefighters have been battling a series of smaller wildfires, and warn that the danger of wildfire is at a record high.

"This is the worst risk we've seen in many years," Fire Chief Alan Poss said.

The Georgia Forestry Commission is asking all Georgia residents to postpone outdoor burning until the current severe wildfire situation has diminished. Requests for burn permits will generally be denied beginning last week, due to drought conditions and the continued risk of wildfire.

"The recent fires in south Georgia have stretched our suppression resources," said Alan Dozier, Chief of Forest Protection. "GFC teams have been dispatched from all over the state to fight these unprecedented fires. So that no area of Georgia is left unprotected, every effort must be made to reduce the threat of uncontrolled fire. Georgia's fire risk is at a 50-year high. It is simply not prudent to continue to authorize use of fire when we are in this situation."

Outdoor burning is an important debris disposal tool for many Georgians and Dozier said restricting permits may cause temporary inconvenience, but he expects people to understand the risk and comply with the GFC's request. While a total burn ban is not being instituted, the GFC will restrict burning permits on a case-by-case basis.

This allows flexibility in locations that receive rain showers and allows fire use for various work related activities.

The Georgia Forestry Commission's toll free 1-877-OK2- BURN line and its computer on-line system for obtaining permits have been temporarily disabled. Residents who have annual permits are asked to refrain from burning until further notice.

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