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District 3 is big part of effort to fight spring wildfires
Munns commented on his duties in South Georgia saying, "I went down in April and saw some of the most extreme firebehavior in Georgia. The firebasically made an 11 mile run in 24 hours. We had to call states from all across the country - even as far away as Alaska for extra equipment. "It was important to ensure the safety of the public and make sure people evacuated at the appropriate time and look ahead to plans for the next day." The Georgia Forestry Commission Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) is made up of GFC personnel that volunteer for the team. The team manages emergency incidents. Several other employees from the District 3 officeserved in South Georgia. They were: l Amy Treadwell, District 3 Administrative Assistant at home, served as the Equipment Time Recorder on the fire. She was responsible for tracking the time equipment was used and ensured states were paid correctly for their equipment use. She spent a total of seven weeks on fire.
l John Sunday, another Forester at home, also served on two different assignments. He was a crewmember on a Type 6 engine and worked the fire for 14 days. Then, he spent 1- days in Waycross as forest technician to do assessments for emergency repairs to the land caused by the fireand suppression efforts. Several Wilkes County Forestry office personnel also worked in South Georgia, including: l Beth Richards, the Chief Ranger at home, served as the Engine Boss on a Type 6 Engine, where she spent 14 days on fire.
l Alphonso Mercier, a Ranger One at home, was a tractor operator fighting fireand plowing firebreaks for 14 days on fire. l Lorenzo Lee, a Ranger One at home, also served as a tractor operator fighting fireand plowing firebreaks for 14 days on fire. Georgia Forestry Commission officials have calculated the impact of the spring wildfiresin South Georgia, and the results are unlike anything seen in state history. More forestland was consumed, more timber was lost, and more financial losses are being felt from these fires in Georgia than has ever been recorded. "The series of fires that started in mid-April burned approximately 564,000 acres," said Robert Farris, Interim Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. In excess of $60 million of privately-owned timber has been lost and it's expected to take over $30 million to replant the burned forestlands." More than 3,300 people from 44 states, Canada and Puerto Rico fought the wildfires.GFC officials report firesuppression efforts cost an estimated $44.1 million, 75% of which may be covered by FEMA on major fires that received grants. "To put it in perspective, the wildfiresof South Georgia and north Florida burned an area more than twice the size of the area inside the perimeter of Atlanta, said Alan Dozier, Chief of Forest Protection at the GFC. "Eighteen homes were destroyed, but fortunately, no lives were lost." In a typical year, Georgia has approximately 8,000 wildfires,which burn 40,000 acres, Dozier said. An extended drought set the stage for record-breaking fireactivity this season. Since July 1, 2006, more than 9,500 wildfiresburned more than 504,000 acres throughout the state. The Georgia Forestry Commission is working with landowners to evaluate timber losses, assist with salvage operations, and develop long- term mitigation and recovery plans. The Commission is also working to secure funding for those efforts.
"The impact of this historic event will be felt for a long time," said Robert Farris. "The Georgia Forestry Commission is committed to providing the leadership, service, and education needed to restore and protect our state's valuable forest resources."
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