DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Lake Lanier has again fallen to a dangerously low level. The drought index in Georgia is as high as anyone can remember and there is little or no rain in sight. More than 41 brush fires have been reported in North Georgia in the last week and Georgia Forestry Commission Chief Ranger Mark Munns, says, “Every county in the area is having at least one or two fires a day.”

It is against that bleak backdrop that Dawson County Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford chose to host a Community Risk Reduction discussion at Dawson County Junior High School Tuesday evening that included guests from the Georgia Forestry Commission, U.S. Forest Service and other community partners.

Swafford cited some stark state statistics from this year to explain the importance of the meeting.

“We’ve had 78 fatality fires this year, 113 related deaths and only seven of those had documented working smoke alarms,” he said. “We’ve had 14 deaths just in the last 72 hours. Six dead in Tryon, Georgia from an improperly installed wood heater. Five dead in Gwinnett County, likely from an unattended fire on the deck. That is 11 preventable deaths.”

Swafford pointed out there eight fire stations spread across Dawson County’s 2,011 square miles and a population of about 23,000. The Fire Department is doing a good job in protecting its citizens.The new Fire Suppression Rating Schedule from Insurance Services Offices offers up to 5.5 additional points for community risk reduction activities. Dawson County scored a near perfect 5.0.

“That’s something I’m pretty proud of,” he said. “In a rural county like this 100 percent of the homes are within 5 miles of a fire station. But we have some room for improvement and that’s one reason we’re here tonight.”

There were plenty of handouts for those who attended and wanted to learn more. One of the most important was entitled: “How to Have a Firewise Home” which outlined how to protect your home from the embers produced by a wildfire, critical information during this extreme drought.

The pamphlet included the following checklist:

Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles;

Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration;

Close under-eave and soffit vents or screen with metal mesh;

Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8-inch to prevent sparks from entering the home;

Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and broken windows;

Screen or box in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating;

Move flammable materials away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves, needles and firewood piles;

Remove anything stored under decks or porches.

There was also a discussion about the need to create “Fire Adapted Communities” that incorporate people, buildings, businesses, infrastructure, cultural resources and natural areas into the effort to prepare for the effects of wildland fire. These community leaders accept the responsibility of living in an area with wildfire hazards. They have the knowledge, skills and have adopted tools and behaviors to prepare in advance for their community’s resilience in a wildfire prone environment.

For more information or for guidance in creating a Fire Adapted Community, contact [email protected]