Ga. Forestry Commission Offering Wildfire Prevention Tips

With wildfires continuing to burn in north Georgia and western North Carolina, state forestry officials are reminding people to do their part in preventing more fires.

Currently, crews are fighting at least two fires in Rabun County, along with many others.

Georgia Forestry Commission Wildfire Prevention Specialist Mark Wiles said many of the forest fires have one thing in common.

“The majority of the fires we are fighting right now, the majority of the fires our firefighters are risking their lives for, were caused by humans so they all could have been prevented,” said Wiles.

Wiles and Keith Moss, who is also with the Georgia Forestry Commission, said that conditions are very bad right now with everything being so dry due to the drought, fires are easily started.

Meanwhile even in Stephens County, crews were reportedly responding to a fire on Prather Bridge Road around the Falls Park Apartments.

Moss said that with everything being so dry, it does not take much to start a fire at a home or in the woods.

“Any little spark can cause a fire,” said Moss. “Somebody flipping a cigarette out going down the road, dragging a chain down the road, causing a spark.”

Moss and Wiles even urged people to avoid outdoor grilling because a spark from the grill could start something on fire with the dry conditions.

Wiles said outdoor burning is not something people should be doing.

“The Georgia Forestry Commission is not issuing any permits for burning, so that means if you do take it amongst yourself to do burning and your fire gets out of control, you are going to be 100 percent responsible and you would have to pay to have that fire suppressed, which could be very expensive,” said Wiles.

Wiles went on to say that people should always be taking steps to protect their home against fire.

He recommends clearing leaves and brush from around the home 30 feet, and also clearing the roof and gutters as well.

Meanwhile, Wiles also urged people to be careful as the smoke from the fires in north Georgia, upstate South Carolina, and western North Carolina continues to effect Stephens County and surrounding areas.

He said people need to use caution while driving especially in the smoke when it is heavy.