GLYNN COUNTY, GA – Saturday, March 22, the Glynn County Fire Department along with Georgia Forestry representatives were called to respond to a remote area of Glynn County along Highway 82.

The area, previously involved with a control burn, had some piles of land clearing debris that were generating heavy amounts of smoke in close proximity to the highway. 

Once on location, Georgia Forestry personnel checked in with their home office for the weather forecast.  The concern was that the expected change in wind direction and humidity was going to push the dense smoke across the highway and hold it close to the ground, creating a dangerous traffic condition.

The decision was made that the fires needed to be extinguished, and since the debris piles were not part of the authorized control burn the owner was contacted to extinguish the fires.

After discussions with the owner it was apparent that they were either unable or unwilling to extinguish the fire on there own.  The decision was made that the extinguishment was going to be the responsibility of the fire department and forestry.

The department then responded with a second fire engine, an ambulance, a 2500 gallon tanker, several 4x4 support vehicles, and the volunteers.  Glynn County Public Works was also called to respond with an excavator to break the piles up and facilitate their extinguishment.

Personnel from all agencies involved assisted with the extinguishment.  Using a nearby stream as a water source, for tanker shuttles, along with ‘Class A’ foam, personnel were able to bring the debris piles under control in approximately 6 hours, completing the operation at dusk just as the winds shifted and the light smoke remaining confirmed the concerns earlier in the day, by drifting toward the highway.  There were no injuries resulting from the incident