This dry weather Northeast Georgia’s experiencing is keeping local firefighters busy.
Blown tire sparks roadside fires
Habersham County and Demorest firefighters battled a half-dozen fires on the side of GA 105/Cannon Bridge Road Tuesday night. A blown trailer tire sparked the fires, officials say.
Habersham County E-911 dispatched emergency personnel to the area of Fairview Elementary School at 6:18 p.m. on Tuesday. At least six fires were found along the shoulder of the road from the school to the bridge.
For the safety of firefighters and motorists, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office personnel closed the road in both directions for about 30 minutes.
Habersham County Emergency Services Battalion Chief Dwight McNally said an equipment trailer transporting a mini excavator blew a tire, and before the driver could find a place to pull off, sparks set the grass on fire.
No injuries were reported.
Firefighters returned to the area at 7:55 p.m., where some small hot spots were located and extinguished, says Habersham County Public Information Officer Rob Moore.
Two acres burn
Earlier in the day, in an unrelated incident, a woods fire burned approximately two acres at 2190 Cannon Bridge Road.
Habersham County E-911 dispatched units to the location around 2 p.m. on March 7. Habersham County and Demorest firefighters responded, along with mutual aid from Cornelia and the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Crews knocked down that fire within an hour and were able to keep it from spreading.
