North GA Wildfires

[Timex]

I haven't seen a thread about this so here goes:

Just got back from a week in the north GA mountains. Wildfires were all
around us but they never slowed us down from doing and going. We tried to stay out of their way. Most of the fires were set INTENTIONALLY! The authorities have arrested several who are responsible for setting the fires. A lot of the fires were on national forest land so that should be a felony. It has hurt businesses because many people have cancelled reservations because of all the smoke. Of course, we didn't enjoy the smell and smoke but we chocked it up to living in the mountains. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the residents and the difficulty they are going thru the last few weeks. A statewide burn ban is in effect. Extreme drought conditions have dried up streams, waterfalls, reservoirs and some have had their wells go dry. Hopefully, rain is in the near future.

[4Daughters]

Wow! We camped in Helen this weekend and did not see any smoke. You guys must have been pretty close compared to us.

[f5moab]

Sorry to see it cause Western NC is beautiful. However, that is what we experience most of the summer out here in the west.
As for a felony on NF lands...it is a felony to "intentionally" start a fire on anyone's lands; Federal, State or Private. Just a difference between jurisdiction.

[DBplus4]

We live near ATL, and I teach 5th grade. The smoke has been so awful some days that recess has been prohibited. The smell and effect on breathing has been really terrible. I'm really hoping the fire fighters are able to put them out soon. Even better would be some rain. I've lived here for 19 years and never seen such a long period between rainstorms before. Sad.

[Igave]

The latest stats are something like 67% arson. The remaining percent heavily on stupidity in trash burning by agricultural folks. Go figure!

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by Igave

The latest stats are something like 67% arson. The remaining percent heavily on stupidity in trash burning by agricultural folks. Go figure!

Please explain the "The remaining percent heavily on stupidity in trash burning by agricultural folks. Go figure!".

I'm not an "agricultural" person myself but wondering what do you mean by that?

[BooBoo23]

Some farm operations intentionally burn off crop residue after a harvest to make the next crop easier to prepare to plant, in particular for no-till farming. It used to be fairly common in wheat fields. Probably not done so much anymore because of the fire dangers.

[hdmtnrider]

Timex, What CG were you at? We live in Blairsville, Ga. We have had day's that looked just like your picture. But, that was a week or so ago. Guess it all depends on which way the wind is blowing. As some other states, we are under a state wide burn ban and now we have some water restrictions. We need everyone's PRAYER'S for rain in the south east.

BTW: HAPPY TURKEY DAY TO ALL!

[BooBoo23]

Here in the Atlanta area there has been no rain in over 32 days which has set a new record for no moisture. We have gone through previous droughts before but this is the longest period with no measurable moisture since it has been recorded. Where I live it has been more like 2 months but for the complete area there have been some spotty showers during that time so the official period is just a little over 1 month. There seems to be enough moisture in the air to keep the grass from going dormant.

[Igave]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

Please explain the "The remaining percent heavily on stupidity in trash burning by agricultural folks. Go figure!".

I'm not an "agricultural" person myself but wondering what do you mean by that?

The answer above is correct. My use of the word "stupidity" is probably too strong. Agricultural folks and people trying to get rid of yard waste, etc. light them thinking they can control the fire-just like they've probably done many times. But wind, drought, fuel conditions are ripe and they aren't able to control-then you get the out of control wildfire. There usually aren't any redoes then-too late.