Fire departments from northwest Georgia are stepping up to assist with ongoing wildfires burning across the southern part of the state, as crews continue working to contain thousands of acres of active fire.
The Catoosa County Fire Department is among several local agencies that have deployed firefighters and equipment to support suppression efforts. Officials said crews were sent following a statewide mutual aid request for additional resources.
The department also expressed appreciation to the Ringgold Eastern Star Chapter for donating water, sports drinks and other supplies to firefighters heading south.
“We are incredibly proud of our firefighters who are responding to the call to help communities all across the state,” the department said in a social media post.
Additional agencies responding include Dade County/West Brow Fire, McLemore Fire, Lookout Mountain Fire Department, and Fannin County Fire Department. The request for assistance was issued through the Tri-State Mutual Aid Association, which called for 10 engines, 10 tankers and 10 wildland units to support firefighting operations.
On April 24, West Brow Fire and Rescue deployed a truck with four personnel to Brantley County, where crews continue to battle multiple fires.
According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, firefighters responded to eight new wildfires on April 28. Two major fires — the Pinelane Road fire and the Highway 82 fire — remain active, with containment levels reported at 23% and 32%, respectively, as of April 29.
Late Saturday, the Georgia Mutual Aid Group issued an urgent request for additional support. Catoosa County Fire Department responded immediately, initially sending two firefighters and a water tanker truck, with operations beginning Sunday morning. A second crew was deployed Wednesday, along with additional supplies.
Catoosa County Public Information Officer John Pless said the department is proud to assist in what has become a large-scale response effort.
“You know we’re talking about an area that’s been devastated by tens of thousands of acres of fire. More than 100 homes have been burned, vehicles. So, we’re just happy to answer the call,” Pless said.
Fire crews are working 12-hour shifts, rotating in and out every few days. Their primary responsibility is to patrol affected areas, identify active hotspots and extinguish flames.
Pless noted the demanding conditions crews are facing, particularly in wildland environments.
“They carry 2,000 gallons of water on board for the truck, but already, just yesterday, they had to reload that six times. So, they’ve already gone through 12,000 gallons of water just in a day,” he said.
Officials say wildfires have scorched more than 50,000 acres across south Georgia. In Brantley County alone, containment has reached approximately 32%, aided in part by mutual aid from departments across north Georgia.
Catoosa County is one of at least six departments from the region assisting in the response, as crews continue working to strengthen containment lines and protect homes and property in the impacted areas.