An outdoor fire got out of hand in White County and spread too close for comfort for one homeowner.
Thursday afternoon, White County Fire Services with Mutual Aid from the City of Cleveland and City of Helen were dispatched to 4092 Helen Highway just north of Tom Bell Road.
A passerby reported they were flagged down by a man advising his outdoor burning had gotten out of control and was close to the residence.
When the first units arrived, the fire was in the yard and brush next to the residence, but the structure was not involved. EMS evaluated the home’s occupant due to underlying health conditions. The patient refused transport to the hospital after evaluation, says White County Public Safety Director David Murphy. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, and the owner was given a verbal warning for burning without a permit.
“It is imperative that property owners call the Georgia Forestry Commission to obtain a permit for outdoor burning,” says Murphy. “Property owners who do not obtain permits can be held liable for damages caused by fire getting out of control and be fined for illegal burning.”
“It is also important to monitor local weather conditions and be wise about burning during High Fire Danger days. Without proper safety measures, fires can quickly get away and out of hand.”
Along with much of North Georgia, White County was under a High Fire Danger alert Thursday due to dry, windy conditions. The National Weather Service issued another alert for Friday, March 5.
Burn permits are only allowed for natural vegetation. It is not legal to burn construction materials and household garbage in Georgia.
(file photo)
