Georgia Forestry Keeps An Eye on Rocky Face Brush Fire

The continuing drought is creating plenty of problems from numerous brush fires here in the tri-state area.

Along I-75 in Whitfield county, motorists can see smoke from what’s called the Rocky Face fire.

Georgia Forestry has two crews on scene cutting fire breaks, but no homes are in immediate danger.

The fire began last Thursday on Rocky face Mountain where about 200 acres have burned so far. Georgia Forestry has two teams on scene with 6 bulldozers, 20 person hand crews, and 6 engines,

The heat is not the only problem faced by the firefighters.

PAT STOCKETT, RANGER & PIO, GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION  “The terrain. Uh, there’s rocky cliffs in there that are 60-70 feet tall. The bulldozers can’t get there. And our hand crews can’t get there.”

Plans to get it out are changing by the hour.

PAT STOCKETT  “Our actions are determined by what that fire is doing. That fire is driven by the weather, and the wind. And all those different environmental factors. So, we’re just going to have to take it half-day at a time.”

Only one home is nearby and it’s now behind fire breaks.

For residents, the scene is sort of a novelty.

PAXTON BENNETT, ROCKY FACE RESIDENT  “Last night you could see the flames from pretty much anywhere in this area. Especially coming off the interstate, you could see it real good.”

A mile long firebreak is keeping the flames from spreading.

PAT STOCKETT  “We’re asking that drivers use caution while they’re traveling. Not only because of the smoke, but we have a lot of equipment coming up and down the roads..and a lot of personnel.”

A cause for this fire has not been determined

PAT STOCKETT  “It’s still under investigation. Our main concern has been to contain and control the fires . We’LL have a crew come in and work on finding the real cause of it.”

If you’re interested in a risk assessment for your home or community, Georgia Forestry has a website called Firewise.

It offers tips to avoiding a risk to your home or neighborhood, and contacts for more safety information.

Firewise Communities Coordinator at 912-531-7152 or georgiafirewise@gfc.state.ga.us.