Gov. Kemp declares State of Emergency in response to South Georgia wildfires

MGN

GEORGIA — Governor Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency for 91 Georgia counties in response to the ongoing wildfires in South Georgia.

The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, unless otherwise renewed.

The State of Emergency is in addition to the State Forester’s Burn Ban Order issued earlier today for the same 91 counties.

The burn ban will also remain in effect for 30 days, unless otherwise extended, and prohibits, among other activities, prescribed burns as well as the burning of yard debris and agricultural material in the affected area.

The governor also directed the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and other relevant state agencies to mobilize all necessary resources to assist with active response efforts in the southern region of the state.

The State of Emergency allows for the Georgia Department of Defense to mobilize Georgia National Guard troops and resources for response and recovery efforts. Air assets and Guardsmen are being activated and deployed to the affected areas.

“With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the state’s 5-year average and continue to spread. My team and I are working closely with Georgia State Forester Johnny Sabo and his team, along with federal, state, and local officials, to ensure we are doing everything possible to combat the fires and provide assistance to affected communities. We are praying for the families who have lost their homes in these devastating conditions, as well as for the first responders working around the clock.”

– Governor Kemp said.