Deal declares state of emergency in response to fires

ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal today declared a state of emergency for Long, Bacon, Clinch and Coffee counties in response to wildfires in southeast Georgia.

The declaration activates the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan and mobilizes all state resources needed to contain and extinguish the fires in these counties. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Georgia to fight the Mosley Road Fire in Coffee County and the Elan Church Road Fire in Long County.

“The state and local governments are taking proactive steps to contain and extinguish the fires,” said Deal. “The Georgia Forestry Commission and GEMA are working together and establishing command centers in the affected counties. We’re hopeful for cooperative weather this weekend to aid in extinguishing the blazes, but we’re going to do everything possible to protect lives and property.”