FAYETTE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES
140 STONEWALL AVE SUITE 214
FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
770-461-1321, EXT 5172
CONTACT Capt. Pete Nelms
It is 2:00 a.m. the morning after the 4th of July. You are awakened by a strange noise and light in your backyard. You peer out the bedroom window only to see flames burning the underbrush and trees in the yard and the fire is approaching your home. The neighbors behind your residence had a large illegal fireworks display and stray fireworks must have smoldered through the night and has started a large brush fire that is threatening your home and your neighborhood. That scenario is exactly what Fayette County Public Safety officials are trying to avoid.
This year due to the drought conditions and the potential for brush and wild land fires Fayette County Public Safety officials are working together proactively to prevent brush and wild land fires. Fayette County Fire Marshal, Captain David Scarborough acknowledges that the extreme drought and dry conditions combined with both legal and illegal fireworks displays can lead to brush and wild land fires and possibly the loss of life and property. The wild land fires in South Georgia have consumed more than 400,000 acres (twice the size of Fayette County) and have burned or threatened countless homes and structures. The South Georgia fires have taught us that we must prevent these incidents in our community through an aggressive fire prevention program. Deputy Chief Tom Bartlett adds that brush and wild land fires in Fayette County have the potential, especially during drought conditions, to do major damage throughout our community. Fortunately, the cause of these fires can be prevented by following the basic fire safety rules and observing County ordinances such as the outdoor burn ban from May 1 through September 30 each year and by not using illegal fireworks displays. We have been fortunate thus far and because of our quick response have been able to contain the area and minimize fire damages from past events.
The department is asking for the public’s help in reducing the chances of starting a brush fire by following county and state ordinances. These ordinances require citizens to safely utilize fireworks that are considered to be legal. Legal fireworks can be described as those without a report or loud bang. Legal fireworks can be purchased in various stores in the community. Generally speaking if you have to travel outside of the state there is a good chance that they may be illegal to use. The use of fireworks causes many injuries in the United States and personal and fire safety rules should be applied when using fireworks. If fireworks displays are conducted be sure that their use is supervised by an adult and that all materials are fully extinguished before leaving the area. The fireworks display area should be thoroughly walked several times to ensure that fireworks have not strayed from the area and started a brush fire. If you see or suspect that a brush fire is occurring call 911 immediately and the appropriate vehicles and personnel will be sent to extinguish the fire.
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