Jenkins County Forestry Service aides Waycross fires
By Field Manley Millen News Intern

Chief Ranger Donnie Brannen, right, and Rick Lane are pictured with a tractor used as the initial prevention tactic because it builds fire breaks that deter the fire better than water. (Staff photo by Field Manley, Millen News Intern)

The Jenkins County Forestry Service has been doing its part in helping with the fires raging in South Georgia.

Counties all over Georgia have been sending help, as well as nearly every state in the nation.

Chief Ranger Donnie Brannen, a 25- year forestry veteran, has been to Waycross twice for two- week periods, taking along as much manpower and equipment as possible to help. According to Chief Brannen, the crew usually worked 16- hours in day and night shifts. "The smoke covered us all day, and it was hard to see," Chief Brannen said. "It was almost like night."

So far, the pine trees in the area are a total loss, and $ 48 million worth of Georgia timber is completely gone.

Due to rainfall over the weekend the forestry unit has lifted a "no-burn" policy and is issuing limited permits in Jenkins County. Prior to rainfall, Jenkins County was at nearly 600 percent on the moisture scale. The scale goes as high as 800 percent, which is completely dry. That figure moves up for each day there is no rainfall, according to Chief Brannen. "With the resources in Waycross, other fires have started around the state and have been harder to contain," Chief Brannen stated, adding that there are many places in Jenkins County that are very susceptible to fire, even after the rainfall.

"Trains have been known to start some fires down there," Rick Lane, who has been working for the forestry service since November 2006, said.

To help prevent this from happening here in Jenkins, Chief Brannen says the forestry service wants to remind people not throw out lit cigarettes or anything that could potentially start a fire.

Chief Brannen said he and some of his men plan to return to Waycross soon.