Weather conditions for the past week have brought “Red Flag” warnings from the National Weather Service. With low humidity levels and rising temperatures, coupled with elevated winds, fires were predicted to occur. The following calls were answered by Swainsboro and Emanuel County firefighters, both full-time and volunteers:
Saturday, February 22, 12:31 a.m., 9-1-1 call for structure fire at 251 Underwood Loop. Swainsboro Engine 200 arrived to find a vacant 1,790 sq. ft. wood frame building fully involved and in stages of collapse. Multiple handlines were stretched and operated to combat the fire and protect adjunct property. Additional fire units from Summertown, Dellwood, and Twin City responded as water supply resources.
Saturday 2:01 p.m., Summertown, Canoochee, and Georgia Forestry responded to 111 Gardenia Rd. for a permit fire that jumped the fire break and was now in the trees. At 3:17 p.m., Swainsboro Fire responded to 180 Strawberry Circle for a brush fire out of control.
Sunday February 23, 10:46 a.m., Swainsboro Fire responded to a report of the smell of something burning at 241 Brown St. Arriving units found an occupied 1,821 sq. ft. wood frame house with an electrical fire burning through the wood attic floor under the HVAC unit. A 1.75” attack line was used to extinguish the fire. Holes had to be cut in the ceilings to stop the spread of fire. There was smoke and water damage to the occupied home.
Sunday 11:57 a.m., Adrian Fire responded to 122 Sumner Rd. for a trash fire that had gotten away. At 12:03 p.m., Dellwood & Norristown units responded to brush on the side of Pinetucky Rd. Then at 3:43 p.m., Twin City & Georgia Forestry responded to a woods fire on W Broad St. Later at 6:33 p.m., Twin City Fire responded to a brush fire at Hwy 80 and Hwy 121.
Sunday February 23, 8:08 p.m., Swainsboro, Dellwood, and Summertown responded to1033 Hawhammock Church Rd. to an open metal shelter structure where a truck, tractor, and other equipment were found burning. The fire is believed to have started by a grass fire. Most of the equipment was destroyed. Lastly, at 8:19 p.m., Nunez Fire responded to a brush fire along Hwy 297.
Monday February 24, 9:38 a.m., Oak Park Fire responded to a tire burning on I-16 East at mile marker 93. At 4:18 p.m., Oak Park responded to a field fire on Whippoorwill Rd. Later at 6:11 p.m., Swainsboro Fire responded to McMillan Dr. for an electrical smell in the house.
Tuesday February 25, 10:05 a.m., Oak Park responded back to Whippoorwill Rd for a brush fire. Then at 1:21 p.m., Oak Park and Twin City responded to 65 Gobbler Lane for an out-of-control permit fire. Later at 4:24 p.m., Oak Park responded to Old Hwy 46 for an out-of-control permit fire.
Wednesday February 26, 1:40 p.m., Swainsboro Fire responded to 161 Blackberry Trail for a structure fire. Units found a working fire in a detached wood frame building and brush burning in several areas. Due to no hydrants in the area, assistance was requested from Dellwood, Summertown, Stillmore, and Norristown to provide manpower, brush units and provide water resources.
Thursday February 27, 3:18 p.m., Swainsboro, Twin City, Canoochee Fire, and Georgia Forestry responded to 505 South Old Reidsville Rd. for a fire deep in the woods. Later at 5:25 p.m., Twin City Fire, and Georgia Forestry responded to 252 West Broad St for a woods fire.
Friday February 28, 2:20 p.m., Swainsboro, Canoochee, Twin City, and Georgia Forestry responded to a woods fire between Kenneth Drive and Ginger Drive.
Friday February 28, 4:05 p.m., Swainsboro Fire responded to a fire in an occupied home at 551 Hill St. Light smoke was showing on arrival. Fire was contained to the interior and exterior rear wall.
Note: Not included in this list are the numerous fire alarm calls, medical aid and motor vehicle accidents, helicopter landings, and other service type calls.
