Glynn & McIntosh County – There had been three woods fires in Glynn County and many Glynn County Firefighters were mopping up.  It was reported that over 40 acres had burned in Glynn.  A fire located between Darien and Eulonia, Georgia began on the afternoon of Sunday, April 4, 2004 near where over 1,000 acres had burned back in April 2001, some three years earlier.

McIntosh County had learned their lesson.  They quickly called for mutual aid and the surrounding fire departments, and Georgia Forestry responded.  Dry and windy conditions had created an ideal situation for wildfires.  There was no chance for rain in the weather forecast for at least 4 days.

Two separate fires appeared to begin along the interstate in northern McIntosh County at about 2:00 p.m. They appeared to be located about a mile apart along the Interstate.   Rain came on Thursday, April 8th and the fires contained.  A section of U.S. 17 between Darien and Eulonia had to be closed for about four hours on Sunday as fire crossed the highway.  Firefighters created a water Curtin at the road and fire just jumped the Curtin and spread on the other side of the road.  Fires crossed Highway 17 in several locations.  No injuries were reported thankfully from the fire.  An abandoned gasoline station, two farm buildings were destroyed.  Thick smoke from the coastal wildfires slowed traffic on I-95 and adjacent rural roads.  No traffic accidents were reported because of the fires.  One home was slightly damaged by one of the largest fires.  Over 50 people were evacuated from their homes in fires in Bryan County.  All returned by Monday morning.

Some homeowners reported that even with their home windows raised up, the smoke was so bad that it still made your eyes water. Looking over their smoldering back yard some homeowners still see ruts left by tractors that came to keep fire spread from attacking their homes.  Homeowners’ credit state, local, and firefighters from surrounding counties from saving their homes and property. 

Glynn County’s response was quick.  They sent 4 engines to McIntosh County driven by paid firefighters and manned by the Ballard and St. Simons Volunteers.  Most of the volunteers had been working in Glynn County wood’s fires off Galilee Road where engines 6, 11, 1, and Tanker 1 had fought fires.  That was some 24 miles away.  Chief Al Thomas, Deputy Chief Jim Cochran, Capt. Jerome Johnson, Vol. Chief Joe Combs and others went to McIntosh County in Engines 8, 9, 10, and 12.  At some point in the firefight a power outage occurred when electrical wires had burned into.  McIntosh County’s radios went down.  Along with the power, the water system shut down. When the water system shut down a helicopter came and dumped water on the blaze.

 Georgia Forestry rangers scrambled to plow breaks around the numerous fires but winds hampered them and caused the fire to jump the breaks.  Fires even jumped highways and seemed to be winning the battle.  Volunteer Chief Joe Combs stated that, “not including the Georgia Forestry units there must have been over 30 or more fire engines and apparatus, who responded to support McIntosh County.  Georgia Forestry had over 26 commissioned tractors mobilized to aid in the effort.  There were two big wildfires between Darien and northern McIntosh County, which broke out, and over 2,325 acres burned.  Estimates are based upon Global Positioning measurements.  Fire officials with the Georgia Forestry Commission said that at least 37 wildfires erupted during the weekend from the coast inland to Waycross and Folkston.  Dry, windy conditions hampered firefighters in all cases.   Everyone was impressed with the way everyone worked together.