Fire managers have begun using "prescribed fires" in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests aimed at improving wildlife habitat and maintaining a healthy forest.
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service Office in Gainesville say about 30,000 acres may be treated with these controlled burns from now through mid-April.
"Fire is a natural and healthy part of this forest," said Jason Demas, Fire Management Officer for the Blue Ridge Ranger District. "These ecosystems need fire to achieve and maintain healthier and biologically diverse habitat for wildlife and songbirds."
Prescribed burns are the safest way to return fire to the ecosystem, according to a USFS news release. When precise conditions - including wind and humidity - are met, firefighters begin and patrol each fire to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals.
"We carefully plan months in advance for just the right combination of weather and ground conditions," added Demas. "Then and only then will we use fire to restore the forest and protect our communities."
These burns will be conducted with supporting firefighters and other resources from partners including the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy and local county fire departments.
In 2016, fire managers treated 34,466 acres on the Forests through prescribed fire. Over the last 10 years, an average of 29,312 acres has been treated through prescribed fire per year.
Fire information, maps, and updates are available on the web and social media (https://www.fs.usda.gov/conf or @ChattOconeeNF). See photographs of #FireFighters in action on Flicker: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmeWVpxT. Follow #BurnAlerts on social media for daily updates on #PrescribedFire
