Breezy conditions yesterday, combined with low humidity, caused an intentional fire to get out of control quickly. The fire started on a pile of leaves in a residential yard.
A resident of Steel Bridge Court was burning leaves in their yard when the fire crept from the leaf pile to a large barn. According to Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain, the barn quickly became fully engulfed in flames. The fire then spread to some small, unoccupied kennels in a wooded area behind the home.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and began battling the blaze, but they had to request reinforcements. The barn collapsed to the ground, but the flames continued to burn. The fire raged on through the wood line and spread across a clear-cut.
“Crews attempted to stop it, but the wind pushed it through dry vegetation faster than we could catch up to it,” McClain said.
Additional fire units were called in to protect surrounding buildings and homes, and two bulldozers from the Georgia Forestry Commission arrived to cut a containment line. The line was unsuccessful, so Putnam County Fire Department crews went to Pinkerton Road to attack the fire head-on. There, they successfully cut a containment line.
“At completion, [approximately] 15 acres burned, one barn was a total loss, and two homes were protected,” McClain said.
The fire chief advises anyone who is considering burning yard or trash debris to “pay attention to the weather conditions.”
“Make wise decisions prior to initiating outdoor burning,” he said. “Always have an adult present until the fire is completely extinguished. Safety recommendations should always be followed when burning, because when conditions are favorable, fire spreads incredibly quickly.”
For up-to-date burn restrictions and warnings, check www.gatrees.org.