More than 100 acres burn in Ryo Mountain area wildfire
A fire in the Ryo Mountain area of Fairmount has been 100 percent contained at press time, according to Chief Doug Ralston with Gordon County Fire & Rescue, and an investigation into the cause of the fire that burned more than 100 acres is underway..
Around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, firefighters responded to what was originally reported as a foursquare-foot area off the side of Irwin Mill Road in Fairmount. The fire quickly spread and burned more than 100 acres. Firefighters worked throughout the night Wednesday and into the early morning hours of Thursday, completely containing the fire around 4:30 a.m.
Georgia Forestry was on the scene throughout the day on Thursday working on hot spots.
According to Chief Ralston, there were no evacuations and no structures were damaged due to the fire.
Chief Ralston and GCF&R asked for the public to avoid Irwin Mill Road in Fairmount until further due to rock and debris falling into the roadway off the burned embankment.
Gordon County Fire & Rescue have had a busy week responding to numerous fire incidences since last Saturday. In response, county officials earlier this week released further explanation into the emergency burn ban put in place by the Gordon County Board of Commissioners on Friday, Nov. 4 with punishments to possibly be implemented to those who violate the ban.
The ban applies to all types of outdoor fires, including bonfires, campfires, leaf burning and trash burning. According to the county, fireworks are also of concern, and the only exception to the ban is small cooking fires that are contained within an outdoor grill.
According to a statement from Gordon County released on Monday, Nov. 14, violation of the ban could result in a $1000 fine and up to six months in jail, and burning without permits, which are not being issued at this time, can also result in higher penalties imposed by the State of Georgia.
The Board of Commissioners issued the emergency ban due to the extreme drought conditions that are affecting the Northwest Georgia area. According to Gordon Forestry Commission, it only takes a single spark just a few minutes to burn out of control.
Gordon County, along with Georgia Forestry
474 Red Bud Road NE • Calhoun, GA
Commission officials, asks the public to refrain from burning and use extreme caution around fire during the extreme drought conditions.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!