Forest fire consumes 216 acres; ATV sparks blaze that may be largest in county history

A blaze that destroyed 216 acres of planted pines and woodlands in the Cross Swamp area last week may have been the largest wildfire in Pierce County history.

The fire was reportedly started by an all-terrain vehicle.

“It could have been much worse than it was, but thankfully we managed to get it under control,” says Leonard Roberts, Deputy Director of the Pierce County Emergency Management Agency.

“We haven’t had a chance to review all of our records, yet, but it is one of the largest,” Justice said.

Roberts said the fire began about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, in a wooded area between Oliver, Verdie and Lynn Roads in the eastern section of Pierce County near the Brantley County line.

While about a half-dozen homes were threatened, no structure damage or injuries were reported.

Steve Crump, who lives on Lynn Road, has nothing but praise for the Pierce County Fire Department.

“They all did a great job and I am thankful for them,” he says.

The fire swept through Crump’s property and threatened his home, a couple of barns, a tractor and several farming implements.

The fire came within just inches of his barn and burned several patches of grass in the side yard of his home.

Property damage "mainly to pine plantations" was reported elsewhere in the area. Damage estimates are not yet available.

Units from the Otter Creek, Patterson, Offerman/Big Creek, Northside, Blackshear and Hacklebarney Stations of the Pierce County Fire Department responded, as did units from Hoboken and Hortense in Brantley County. About 30 volunteer firefighters fought the blaze. Georgia Forestry Commission personnel also responded. About a dozen tractors were used to plow firebreaks to help stop the fire. Rayonier and Georgia Pacific, which both own land in the area, also provided tractors and personnel to fight the blaze. Several residents of the area also pitched in.

Crews fought the blaze for about six hours before bringing it under control at nightfall Thursday. Georgia Forestry personnel and a few fire officials remained at the site all day Friday doing mop-up work.

According to Roberts, a farmer had been out on an ATV flagging land lines on property he had recently purchased.

“He said he got off to mark a corner and when he turned around, the ATV had set the brush on fire,” Roberts said.

The ATV was totally destroyed.

Roberts said he was among the first fire personnel on scene and began to worry right away.

“I knew we had homes in danger and I called for as much help as I could get,” Roberts said.

A seasoned firefighter, he relates he was uneasy about what he was seeing.

“You would see fire tornadoes in the blaze and the trees would just lay over like they were being blown down,” he says.

Fueled by dry brush and pine straw underneath, the fire moved rapidly, spotting out ahead of the main blaze in several locations. The fire reached a height of 20 feet in some of the woodlands, consuming some of the pines from base to crown.

The fire jumped Lynn Road and several freshly plowed fire breaks and was headed for Raulerson Road before crews brought it under control.

“I was very relieved when we were able to get it under control,” says Roberts.

He is thankful for all who came out to assist.

“We had lots of help and it was a good example of what teamwork can do when everyone works together,” he says.

Roberts was in charge of managing the emergency as Justice was in Forsyth for training. Justice rushed back to Pierce County, arriving about the time the blaze was brought under control.

Source: http://www.theblacksheartimes.com/articles/2009/02/18/news/doc499b2781d4682415127990.txt

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