New fires start in South Georgia
by Terry Toole

Colquitt/Miller County tanker overturned fighting forest fires in Charlton County.

The weather continues to work against firefighters as they attempt to put the forest fires out. Three new fires were started by lightning strikes, and winds up to 30 miles per hour threatened to spread the fires. More than 100,000 acres of forest have burned so far. Even higher winds and no rain are expected this week.

More than 900 firefighters are working the blazes. Officials estimated earlier in the week it will cost the state $18 million to fight the wildfires, and landowners could lose $30 million in trees being grown for lumber and paper products. The impact on wildlife could be worse, as this is the mating and rearing season for many species.

Miller County lost Tanker #4 on Tuesday, May 1, when the truck that had been loaned to state firefighters overturned on a small bridge it was crossing. Colquitt/ Miller County Firefighters Rob Bryan and Eric Whitaker drove the truck to the fire on Friday, April 27, and stayed until Monday, April 30.

The 1991 Chevrolet Kodiak tanker was being driven by Hansel W. Bullard, 44, of Calvary, GA. He was following another fire vehicle on Race Pond Road in Charlton County when the driver veered off the south edge of the bridge and overturned. The driver and another fireman, Micah Freeman, 37, also from Calvary, were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries.

The cause of the accident, according to witnesses Tom French and Brian Hodge, firemen from Minnesota, was due to the poor visibility and dust.

The tanker is owned by the City of Colquitt and was considered a probable total loss. The truck was a 1500 gallon tanker used by the Colquitt/ Miller County Volunteer Fire Department.

The newest release by the Joint Information Center indicated Monday May 7, that 98,408 acres were involved with a estimated loss of $11,586,312.00. The fires at Big Turnaround, 44509 acres, in Ware/Charlton counties are 45% contained. At Sweat Farm Road in Ware County, 53,899 acres, the fires are 80% contained. In Atkinson County, 5,800 acres, fires are 50% contained. In Brantly County, 3,148 acres, fires are 95% contained. Fires in Long County are being monitored.

A Red Flag warning has been issued for Monday, May 7, due to predicted gusty north-northeast winds and drier conditions. Several state, federal and local roads are closed due to the smoke and dust conditions in the fire areas.

This has been rated one of the worst fires in the state of Georgia, and it is far from being over.