Dade County Under 30-Day Burn Ban, Walker County Fire Determined To Be Arson
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
Photo courtesy of Dade County Mountain Rescue – On the evening of Nov. 2nd, during efforts to fight the Murphy Hollow fire, a Georgia Forestry employee’s foot was injured. Dade County Mountain Rescue and EMS successfully extracted him from the scene.
At press time, Dade County and surrounding areas remain at risk of wildfires as the drought continues. The National Integrated Drought Information System (www.drought.gov) has moved Dade and Walker counties up to D3 – Extreme Drought areas. At times over the last week, smoke was thick and caused limited visibility and low air quality.
The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) reported that one large fire on Lookout Mountain in Walker County was started by arson.
On Saturday, November 4th, County Executive Ted Rumley issued a 30-day burn ban for Dade County, declaring a state of local emergency. Walker County also issued a 45-day burn ban. Violating the ban is a misdemeanor offense with a fine up to $1,000.
GFC’s website lists several small fires that have been handled as well as five major fires in Dade and on Lookout Mountain in Walker.
Fires covered a total of 886 acres in Dade, 1,432 acres in Walker on Lookout Mountain, and 244 in Marion County, Tenn. Status of each fire at press time:
- Back Valley Road: Controlled, started October 18th from escaped debris burn, 52 acres
- Murphy Hollow: Controlled, cause under investigation, started November 2nd, 658 acres
- Egypt Hollow: Controlled, cause under investigation, started October 29th just across state line in Tenn., 176 acres in Ga. and 244 in Tenn.
- Payne Chapel Road: Controlled, cause under investigation, 32 acres
- Walker County GA-157: 50% contained, started October 21 by arson, 1,400 acres. This fire had been controlled, but it escaped containment lines and grew from 300 acres to 1,4000 acres. GFC reported that 15 personnel were assigned to the fire over the weekend, and due to the steep, rocky terrain, tractor and dozer operations are limited.
On November 6th, GFC published the following press release:
“North Georgia Fire Linked to Arson – A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist in northwest Georgia, where wildfires have been on the increase in recent days. Georgia Forestry Commission investigators determined one fire in Walker County was deliberately set, as GFC rangers continue to respond to other fires in the area.
“‘There’s been no measurable rain for over a month, and conditions are critically dry,’ said
Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore. ‘Seasonal leaf fall, along with sustained gusty winds, are contributing to high fire risk conditions. We’re recommending any planned outdoor burning be postponed for now.’
“The GFC is reminding the public that even fires that appear to be extinguished can reignite. Georgia burners are legally responsible for their own fires and any damage they may cause.
Georgia Forestry Commission Law Enforcement reports the fire off Highway 157 in Walker
County was the result of arson. Investigators are asking for the public’s help with any information related to the person or people responsible for this and any other fires. The Georgia Arson Control Program offers rewards of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist. Anyone with knowledge of the incident(s) should contact the GFC at 1-800-GA-TREES (478-7337). For information about wildfire safety and fire risks in your county, go to GaTrees.org or call the local GFC office.”
