Katelyn Wilburn, Campus Carrier staff writer
Georgia and surrounding states have had a significantly increased number of forest fires due to the dry weather this spring. Although this may seem unusual, the decreased humidity rates can cause a lot more damage than one might think.
Although there haven’t been any wildfires on campus, there have been instances where small fires have started on the outskirts of Berry land, which have been handled accordingly. These were also easier to manage because this land was already affected by Berry’s controlled burns.
Recent fires in Armuchee have sparked concern for fire safety in the Rome area. According to the Rome News-Tribune, a woman was arrested on arson charges related to the fires, after burning 195 acres of wooded area.
“We have had some close calls, but I wouldn’t consider them wildfires,” Tim Chestnut, Berry’s forester, said. “Two very small little fires started up, but they were in areas burned previously, so they didn’t get out of control.”
The area burned previously is part of Berry’s controlled burns that occur as often as the weather allows, as part of the Longleaf Pine Project.
According to the Berry website, the Longleaf Pine Project seeks to re-establish a fire-maintained Mountain Longleaf ecosystem on Lavender Mountain, located just north of Rome. Longleaf pines are less susceptible to regional diseases and pests, including the southern pine beetle. Healthy stands must be maintained by frequent prescribed burns, which reduces the likelihood of devastating wildfires in managed areas.
This project continues controlled burns across the vast majority of acreage on campus, which has decreased, but not eliminated, the likelihood of wildfires in our area. At Berry, there is a system in place in case of a wildfire emergency.
“If Berry PD is made aware of [a fire], we would contact Floyd County’s 911 system and they would activate fire department resources and Georgia forestry resources,” Chief of Police Ryan Chesley said. He also explained that more help is available if fires get further out of control.
Since wildfires are difficult to control due to their unpredictability, the Berry College Police Department (BCPD) has requested open communication from any individuals participating in activities that have a risk of igniting fire.
“What we hope for is that we are in communication about things that are going on around us and things are being planned,” Chesley said.
There are certain educational factors that one can be aware of in a time of increased wildfires, such as the definition and reasoning of the “Red Flag Warning.” Red flag warnings are a serious public broadcast that helps people understand when they should and should not participate in activities related to fire outside.
According to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, red flag warnings are issued only by the National Weather Service for a select area. They forecast warm temperatures, low humidity in dried fuel moistures and strong winds expected within 24 hours. A combination of these factors results in an increased risk for a wildland fire or rapid-fire growth.
Littering, unattended fires and improperly planned events regarding burning have the potential to cause fires. Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety and Land Management Gary Will encouraged students to be aware of potential fire risks.
“I guess part of that is education,” Will said. “There have been times where fires have started when somebody pulls a trailer and the chains spark up on the road. Just [be] aware of what you’re doing. Obviously discarding cigarettes out the window is not conducive for not having fires.”
The app “Floyd County EMA” is available for people in the area to stay up to date on the current weather and wildlife situations, so they can know when and when not to burn in their area. Students, staff and visitors at Berry College should also know that if they see an out-of-control fire or anything else considered suspicious, they should call the Berry College Police Department at (706)-236-2262 or 911 immediately so the fire department can be notified and help keep campus safe.