State and local officials report that even though significant rainfall has been reported in this area, other counties in the state are in a moderate to severe drought.
“Conditions are very dry in some areas of Georgia,” said Alan Dozier, Chief of Protection for the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Dozier said most of the Georgia Forestry Commission's forest rangers from throughout the state have been deployed to the South Georgia fires and only skeleton crews remain in many Georgia counties, including Polk.
Chief Ranger Denise L. Croker, Polk County, Georgia Forestry Commission, said that crew members are still being sent to help with these fires.
“I have one Ranger down there right now and will deploy another around July 1,” she said. “My intentions is to keep at least one of us here (Polk County) for fire control.”
Coker said she has reports on the status of the South Georgia fires. To date, Sweat Farm in Ware County is 38% contained, Racepond Fire in Ware, Charlton and Brantley counties, 50% and Honey Prairie Complex Fire in Ware, Clinton and Clinch, 60%.
Wildfires have blackened more than 393,376 acres of forestland in Georgia since January with an estimated $100 million in timber losses and $15 million in property losses attributed to wildfire.
Dozier said that permits for outdoor burning are not being issued, and discourages use of fireworks during the Fourth unless organized and supervised by local officials.
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