Governor proclaims Fire Awareness Week

Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. Healthy forests provide clean air and water, and diverse wildlife populations for Georgia's residents and visitors.

Governor Nathan Deal has designated by official proclamation the first week in February to be observed annually as Prescribed Fire Awareness Week for Georgia in recognition of land managers who protect and maintain the state's forest resources.

The Fire Council works with Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and other cooperators to encourage the exchange of information, techniques and experiences among practitioners of prescribed burning in Georgia.

According to the GFC, "On average, Georgia prescribe burns about 1.5 million acres of forest lands each year."

GAPFC advocates prescribed burning as one of the most environmentally and economically feasible methods for managing the state's valuable forest resources. Professional foresters and other land managers throughout the state use prescribed burning for reforestation, aesthetics, and forest access.

As a land management tool, prescribed fire is essential for managing wildlife species such as bobwhite quail, eastern wild turkey, white-tailed deer, many songbirds, the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and many other fire-dependent species.

Prescribed burning is the only known forest management method which perpetuates the longleaf/wiregrass ecosystem, Georgia's most diverse flora and fauna ecosystem.

For more information about GAPFC visit our website at www.garxfire.com

Georgia Prescribed Fire Council members: Albany Quail Project, Consulting Foresters, Georgia Conservancy, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Greater Okefenokee, Association of Landowners, Heritage and Wildlife, Conservation Council, Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Private Landowners/Managers, Quality Deer Management, Association, Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy, UGA, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service