1 Dead In Nearly 500 GA Wildfires During Dry Week

GEORGIA — A person died after nearly 500 wildfires burned this past week across Georgia in a rarity for the state, the Georgia Forestry Commission said Monday.

The commission said firefighters statewide were kept busy this weekend, tending to several wildfires that burned at least 6,000 acres. The fires were due to low humidity and gusty winds, the commission said.

The GFC did not say that the nearly 500 wildfires occurred in one weekend, only in the past week.

One person died and a number of structures and vehicles were lost due to the fires, the commission said. The victim's name has not been released.

“The number one cause of these fires is escaped debris burning,” GFC Director Johnny Sabo said in a news release. “Fortunately, our crews have been able to respond aggressively to keep individual fire sizes small. However, we need the public’s vigilance for preventing wildfire in the days ahead.”

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GFC Public Relations Director Wendy Burnett told Patch that the nearly 500 wildfires were uncommon, although not unprecedented. She surmised the fires were largely concentrated in central Georgia.

The state's five-year average of amount of wildfires and acreage burned has increased, the GFC said.

According to a GFC fire activity map, dozens of fires were either active or controlled across the state as of Monday afternoon.

The National Weather Service on Sunday issued a high fire danger notice for north and central Georgia due to expected low relative humidity levels of 25 percent or less for at least four hours through Monday evening.

"With dry fuels, high fire danger conditions can be expected. Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside, use extreme caution," the weather service said in the notice.

Potentially severe storms are anticipated Tuesday and Wednesday in Georgia. The GFC said it is monitoring weather conditions in coming days.

The National Interagency Fire Center, which reported persistent extremely dry conditions Saturday in the Southeast, said Georgia is in the red for March, according to the GFC.

The probability of significant wildfires spreading in Georgia is "greater than usual," the commission said.

“Any spark that takes hold outdoors is capable of igniting a large wildfire,” GFC Protection Chief Thomas Barrett said in the release. “That means one ember from a backyard leaf pile, grill or campfire can spark a dangerous fire. Also hot machinery on dry grasses or a tossed cigarette. Human involvement is the reason behind these fires and the answer to preventing them, as well.”

The GFC offers facts about wildfire prevention online.