Numerous grass and brush fires reported

Wind and dry grasses contributed to more than 15 fires throughout the county.

“With the warmer weather, many citizens were taking care of some outdoor burning,” said Barrow County Emergency Services public information officer Lt. Scott Dakin. “However, with the wind blowing, this also led to several of these grass fires.”

Firefighters were assisted at times by crews from Georgia Forestry. All but one of the fires were completely extinguished. Forestry crews were forced to cut a fire break around a fire in the Carl area. Due to the size of the logs and brush that were burning, a fire was left smoldering after the flames were knocked down. Officials said there was no danger of the fire extending beyond the fire break.

Causes of the fires included a discarded cigarette, unattended outdoor burning and two cases which involved juveniles playing with fire.

“We want to remind all children to never play with fire because it can quickly get away from them and cause not only property damage but could also possibly injure or kill someone,” Dakin said.

Dakin added that any citizen wishing to conduct outdoor burning must have a burn permit from Georgia Forestry and must do the burning on the specified day.

“They must also have immediate access to water or other extinguishing agents that can extinguish the fire and they must stay with the fire until it is completely extinguished,” Dakin said.