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By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - Governor Nathan Deal issued an Executive Order for the State of Georgia that banned the use of fireworks in Pike and many surrounding areas due to the drought on November 14, 2016. That order was rescinded today.
According to the Executive Order, the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner has determined that the threat of wildfire from consumer fireworks has greatly diminished and have requested that the prohibition against fireworks be lifted.
It has has also been determined by the State Forestry Commission and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that much of the state has received enough rainfall that they have lifted their bans on outdoor campfires.
The original article is below.
ZEBULON - Governor Nathan Deal issued an Executive Order for the State of Georgia that bans the use of fireworks due to the drought on November 14, 2016. This includes Pike, Spalding, Upson, Lamar, Meriwether and many other counties in our area for as long as the drought remains in effect. Click here to read the original document.
As of yesterday at 9 a.m., the Fire Situation Report states that there are 24 new fires as of November 14th comprised of 383 acres, there are 12 active state fires comprising 27,027 acres, and 4,128 total fires comprised of 19,314 acres (not including those on federal land) since January 1, 2016. At this time, 42% of the state of Georgia is in extreme and exceptional drought.
The land, trees, and plants are like tinder for a fire waiting to happen in many areas, and fire is threatening homes in places like Dade County where 60 houses were evacuated on Sunday, November 13, 2016. There have been 200 in all in this north Georgia area alone.
Air quality in our area has been affected by smoke from wildfires in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The haze has affected visibility in our area and caused many to have breathing problems and other symptoms from breathing the smoke. Today’s Air Quality Index Forecast for was unhealthy. Pike County has been in the moderate range depending on how the wind is blowing the smoke. Click here to view the AQI Forecast.
Here are some fire safety tips from Chief Ranger Sr./District Safety Officer Jeff Kenerly. Fireplaces and wood heaters will soon be in use because of the colder weather. "Please be mindful of where ashes from the use of any wood burning stove, heater or fireplace are disposed of. A good recommendation would be to place them in a metal container and to wet them with plenty of water before dumping on the ground."
Further advice includes extinguishing completely any grill, smoker, patio fire pit, fire ring, or campfire and monitoring them while they are in use. He also urged caution to hunters with the use of grills, heaters, campfires, generators, ATV and vehicles in the woodlands and fields.
"The drought conditions in our area dictate that we all use caution when dealing with any ignition source that may cause a wildfire to occur," said Chief Kenerly. "Being more aware and using extra caution will help in preventing wildfires."
"Cigarettes being thrown out of vehicle windows can cause wildfires fires," he said. "The vegetation is most defiantly dry enough for cigarettes and cigars to ignite roadside grasses with the help of wind and low humidity." Chief Kenerly stressed that "any and all sparks, embers, and open flames should be considered a hazard if not handled properly."
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