Forestry official: Conditions right for intense fires in Georgia

ALBANY — Georgia Forestry Department Chief Ranger Tom Lambert gave a very different annual report at the Dougherty County Commission’s work meeting Monday than the one he gave only a year ago, a report that came with a warning.

“We haven’t issued a (burn) permit (in Dougherty County) since Oct. 29,” Lambert told the board. “The conditions this year are completely different than they were a year ago. Last year, after a very wet season, we didn’t have any fires to speak of. With this drought, we’re on alert because the conditions are not only right for fires, they’re right for fires that could burn intensely.”

Lambert said he planned to leave after finishing his report to help in areas of extreme drought in n0rth Georgia.

“We’re asking everyone to be very cautious,” he said. “We’re encouraging people not to burn, even the recreational burning they typically do during the holidays. With each passing day (with no rain), the situation’s getting worse.”

The immediate forecast doesn’t offer hope for any change in the Albany area. The National Weather Service, which hasn’t recorded any rain at its Albany gauge since Sept. 26, says skies are expected to be clear to mostly clear through Sunday.

Lambert’s report kicked off the work meeting, at which the commission heard plans for regulating solar energy in the county and got a report on pending road resurfacing that the board is expected approve at its business meeting next week.

Planning Director Paul Forgey told commissioners a planned city/county zoning ordinance would establish guidelines by which solar energy might be regulated in the county. Forgey said the working ordinance includes two types of review.

“For on-site use, which is residential or, say, a school building, approval could be granted through administrative review,” Forgey said. “Principal use — such as a solar field where the electricity is being sold back to the grid — would require special approval (by the city or county commission).”

County Public Works Director Larry Cook outlined the process for moving forward with 11.09 miles of street resurfacing that will impact nine thoroughfares.

“Once we get your approval, we’ll submit our plan to DOT (the state Department of Transportation),” Cook said. “Once they OK our plan, we’ll start the bidding process. All roads on our list meet the criteria (established by DOT and the county), so once we get through the paperwork, our plan is to have the work done by July.

“We can get this work done in a couple of months, it’s the process that takes so long.”

The county will use $364,772 in Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant funding as well as a $400,000 in Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax VI allocations to complete the resurfacing projects.

Also at the meeting, Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas led the board in congratulating District III Commissioner Clinton Johnson, who received track certification after completing required work through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s Lifetime Learning Academy.