SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
A large fire burning in the western portion of Spalding County has now jumped Shoal Creek and is approaching a residential area.
According to Spalding County Assistant County Manager Eric Mosley, personnel of the Spalding County Fire Department and the Georgia Forestry Commission are actively working to extinguish the fire.
“What’s going on at this point is they (the Spalding County Fire Department) had the fire pretty well hemmed in along Shoal Creek, and with the sustained winds, the fire actually has jumped the creek,” Mosley said. “There’s a golf course community off of W. Ellis, The Cedars, and it’s in the wood line behind that neighborhood. We do have multiple engines there waiting on the other side. They’re currently working as structure protection for those homes. Again, it’s quite a way off from the homes. There is a Georgia Forest Commission tractor on the scene and a second is on its way to help out.”
There is currently no estimate on the number of acres involved.
Officials say this fire originated with a hay baler, and foul play is not suspected at this time.
Due to the continuing drought, wind and unusually low humidity levels, Spalding County officials are imploring residents to refrain from all outdoor burning.
The GRIP will update report updates as additional information becomes available.
