Post by eng451 on Mar 12, 2010 8:09:51 GMT -5
Brush Fires Keep Georgia FFs Busy
By Louie Brogdon
-
The Brunswick News, Ga.
Posted: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 01:04
Updated: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 01:08
--
Mar. 11--Be careful when burning yard debris. The season for brush fires is already upon Brunswick and the Golden Isles.
State and county firefighters have been busy knocking down brush fires, including one Wednesday at New Hope Plantation on U.S. 17 that nearly prompted Glynn County public safety officials to evacuate residents. That proved to be unnecessary.
Mark McClellan, chief Georgia Forestry Commission ranger for Glynn County, urges people to be extra careful with fire.
"We are starting to get dry," McClellan said. "Usually in March you have high winds and low humidity, which are perfect conditions for brush fires."
The Georgia Forestry Commission, as well as Glynn County fire and police departments, responded shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday to New Hope Plantation Mobile Home Park to contain a brush fire in the rear of the property next to the Aero-Instant Spray Drying Services plant.
Police and fire officials considered a voluntary evacuation of the mobile home park due to the fire's proximity to the chemical plant, which contains alcohol solvents and other flammable liquids, said Capt. Jay Wiggins, director of Glynn-Brunswick Emergency Management Agency. He said the county's quick response made an evacuation unnecessary.
"The fire department did a great job getting this contained," Wiggins said. "We are keeping a few units on scene in case they need us for anything and to watch for a few hot spots. Fortunately, they were able to contain it before it got any closer to (the chemical) plant."
The forestry commission responded with fire plows to help smother the burnt area after the fire was doused, McClellan said.
The fire at the chemical plant was caused when a crew used a cutting torch to remove some overgrown brush, according to Candice Temple, spokesperson for Glynn County. "Because of the wind, that fire spread very quickly in four directions," she said.
The day before, on Tuesday, the forestry commission and county firefighters responded to a brush fire near Pennick Road in rural west Glynn County around 2:30 p.m. The fire spread to an abandoned cabin built in 1936, burning it down. McClellan said the fire started near the road and spread up to the cabin.
"The only thing left was a pile of tin," he said. "Once the fire got to that fat lighter, it just went up."
The fire burned approximately 2.6 acres of land. Both fires, which remain under investigation, were caused by outdoor debris burning, according to Temple. McClellan said people should take extra care when burning yard debris during the spring months.
"The biggest thing is, when they start burning debris, stay close and keep and eye on it," he said. "Keep your tools and water hose ready, and avoid burning on days with high wind."
By Louie Brogdon
-
The Brunswick News, Ga.
Posted: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 01:04
Updated: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 01:08
--
Mar. 11--Be careful when burning yard debris. The season for brush fires is already upon Brunswick and the Golden Isles.
State and county firefighters have been busy knocking down brush fires, including one Wednesday at New Hope Plantation on U.S. 17 that nearly prompted Glynn County public safety officials to evacuate residents. That proved to be unnecessary.
Mark McClellan, chief Georgia Forestry Commission ranger for Glynn County, urges people to be extra careful with fire.
"We are starting to get dry," McClellan said. "Usually in March you have high winds and low humidity, which are perfect conditions for brush fires."
The Georgia Forestry Commission, as well as Glynn County fire and police departments, responded shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday to New Hope Plantation Mobile Home Park to contain a brush fire in the rear of the property next to the Aero-Instant Spray Drying Services plant.
Police and fire officials considered a voluntary evacuation of the mobile home park due to the fire's proximity to the chemical plant, which contains alcohol solvents and other flammable liquids, said Capt. Jay Wiggins, director of Glynn-Brunswick Emergency Management Agency. He said the county's quick response made an evacuation unnecessary.
"The fire department did a great job getting this contained," Wiggins said. "We are keeping a few units on scene in case they need us for anything and to watch for a few hot spots. Fortunately, they were able to contain it before it got any closer to (the chemical) plant."
The forestry commission responded with fire plows to help smother the burnt area after the fire was doused, McClellan said.
The fire at the chemical plant was caused when a crew used a cutting torch to remove some overgrown brush, according to Candice Temple, spokesperson for Glynn County. "Because of the wind, that fire spread very quickly in four directions," she said.
The day before, on Tuesday, the forestry commission and county firefighters responded to a brush fire near Pennick Road in rural west Glynn County around 2:30 p.m. The fire spread to an abandoned cabin built in 1936, burning it down. McClellan said the fire started near the road and spread up to the cabin.
"The only thing left was a pile of tin," he said. "Once the fire got to that fat lighter, it just went up."
The fire burned approximately 2.6 acres of land. Both fires, which remain under investigation, were caused by outdoor debris burning, according to Temple. McClellan said people should take extra care when burning yard debris during the spring months.
"The biggest thing is, when they start burning debris, stay close and keep and eye on it," he said. "Keep your tools and water hose ready, and avoid burning on days with high wind."