Prayers answered, fire is out
By JOAN CROTHERS Sentinel Writer

This was what the fire looked like from Young Harris side on Wednesday, about 7:30 p.m.

Many residents in Towns County have been extremely anxious about the smoke and fire, literally in their back yards, from Wednesday to Sunday, November 7- 11, 2007. The fire was officially contained as of Sunday morning, although the Forest Service said there could be some fuel inside that may still be smoking. The Forest Service has kept a crew on duty this week watching the area.

The area involved ranged from Cedar Knob and Rocky Knob in Young Harris, top of Ramey Mountain, Hog Creek, Claude Road, and Mining Gap Connector, with a total of 790 acres burned, mostly U.S. Forest Service land, although some was private land. No structures were damaged and no evacuations were necessary, although it was at times 150 to 200 yards from some Hog Creek homes.

Capt. David Sellers, who has been with the Towns County Volunteer Fire Department since 1980, said this was the most dangerous and difficult fire he has ever fought because of the steep terrain and rocky cliffs on this ridge. He was one of the first ones on the scene after the call came in to 911 on Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. of fire on Cedar Knob behind the Young Harris College.

Towns County Fire Department dispatched two crews of six men each. They were joined by GA Forestry and U.S.F.S. with all working a rake line around the fire line until 11 p.m. when they thought they had it contained. 4:30 a.m. saw the fire flare up again in two separate spots. The Forest Service brought in a helicopter and crews from Oklahoma and Arkansas (on standby duty in Atlanta). T.C. Firefighters set up a command post at Station 6 on Sunnyside and took shifts working around the clock at the endangered homes for the next four days, released from duty Sunday at 5 p.m.

Fire Chief Mitch Floyd said this was the largest continuous event the fire department has gone through since the snowstorm of '93, and ironically his department had just gone through ICS (Incident Command System) training.

"I'd like people to take a good look at their property," continued Floyd, "and be sure to make an open space between your house and woods, clearing leaves and brush on a regular basis."

Many in the community, besides the firefighters, are to be thanked for their assistance during this crisis. The Towns County Red Cross DAT members brought cots and bedding to Stations 6 and 2, and furnished canteen service, hot meals, and snacks. Meals and hot chocolate came from McDonald's; water, snacks and drinks came from Ingles, General Dollar, and United Community Bank.

Sherry, logistics officer at the US Forest Service command post (temporarily in Young Harris) gave a big Thank You! to Towns County for going out their way to help out during the fire. Her special Thanks to MaryAnn's Restaurant, Shoney's Restaurant, Young Harris College Baseball Team, and the Young Harris Motel.