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BY PEARLETTE CID The raging wildfires that continue to smolder in South Georgia after three months come on the heels of the tumultuous tornadoes that devastated Central Georgia in March. The fires, which were ignited when lighting knocked a tree onto some power lines in Okefenokee, are 98-percent contained, and residents are breathing smoke-free air for the first time since May. Tifton, Ware, Brantley, Clinch, Waycross, and Echols county collaboratives all reported to have been affected by thick smoke and ashes. Local officials in South Georgia warned residents that inhaling toxic fumes from the smoke that polluted the air could result in respiratory difficulties, and urged them to curtail outside activities. The dangerous odor and smoke that blanketed these areas 250 miles south of Atlanta drifted as far as Cobb County.
"The smoke caused problems for those of us with breathing and lung problems," said Levetta Jefferson, a local Family Connection collaborative chair in Tifton who suffers from asthma. "My doctor told me to avoid going outside, but when it was necessary, I wore a mask." Clinch County Family Connection coordinator Jennifer Smith reported that individuals with asthma and other respiratory problems had a great deal of difficulty breathing during severe smoke days. Extreme overcast, multiple road closings due to falling debris, embers, ashes, and burned leaves were just some of the daily nuisances. According to Charlton Family Connection coordinator Lynn Crews, children with asthma were having difficulty breathing in the classroom as well. "When we were testing on one smoky day," said Crews, "a little first-grade boy would put his head down on his desk and breathe in between every question to save up enough air to raise his head again."
Wildfires consumed 500,000 acres, destroyed 18 homes, and forced residents to temporarily relocate as fires crept closer to homes and businesses. Crews recalled flames that surged 110 feet in the air. "Tractors of the forestry crews cleared what looks like a six-lane highway between the fires and our homes," said Crews. "The firefighters herded the fire around the swamp. But I've seen signs posting needs for people who did lose property." While Echols County didn't have any major fires, the residents were impacted in other ways. "There were a few fires from lightning strikes that firefighters were able to put out in one day. Schools closed for a day in early May due to the smoke," said Florence Staten, Echols Family Connection coordinator. "We've had terrible smoke and ashes in the air from the fires." Twenty miles west of the Echols County Family Connection, Valdosta residents also were dealing with the smoke. "I've noticed several people in Valdosta's mall parking lot wearing dust type masks, said Staten. "Everyone is tired of the smoke." Rain
Falls on the Burning Embers as "Thankfully none of our local partners were too badly affected other than being inconvenienced," said Smith. "We had some close encounters with a few homes, but the fire department and Georgia Forestry Commission worked to save just about everything."
According to Crews, signs expressing appreciation to all the fire fighting teams popped up throughout her community. "There are signs on the highway where the firefighters travel, painted sheets from thankful land owners, and posters from school and church groups," she said. "Volunteers also manned command post centers with supplies that were donated for the firefighters. We gave out a supply list during a collaborative meeting and Gregory Rosso, WellCare of Georgia, a regional partner with the Charlton County Family Connection Collaborative, was quick to respond with a load of supplies." The county and city government, health department, and Charlton schools set up shelters for people who evacuated their homes and for the firefighters, while restaurants and churches coordinated food for the 1,800 firefighters were there. "In Clinch County, the community came together to support the firefighters by having T-shirts made proclaiming Clinch County's support, and we all wore them on Fridays," said Smith. The local printing company donated all proceeds to the firefighters. "I've seen an amazing example of collaboration from local, state and national resources at community briefings," said Crews. "Federal teams trained in fire management came to Charlton, and coordinated and used resources to save communities. They decided emergency procedures, evacuations, road and school closings." The good news that emerged from this tragic story is that no deaths were reported. Brantley County Family Connection coordinator Laura Kelly recounted a close encounter with a fire that threatened homes on the outskirts of Nahunta. "Many families were evacuated from their homes, most of which were allowed to return the next day. No lives were lost," said Kelly. "We have been blessed."
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