Gov. Kemp declares state of emergency over wildfires

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for 91 counties in response to ongoing wildfires in south Georgia.

The declaration allows for the Georgia Department of Defense to mobilize Georgia National Guard troops and resources for response and recovery efforts.

Air assets and Guardsmen are being activated and deployed to the affected areas, according to the governor’s office.

The order also prohibits price gouging of goods and services needed for wildfire preparation, response and recovery.

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“With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the state’s 5-year average and continue to spread,” Kemp said in a statement.

Kemp said he and his team are working closely with Georgia State Forester Johnny Sabo and his team, along with federal, state and local officials, “to ensure we are doing everything possible to combat the fires and provide assistance to affected communities.”

>> READ THE FULL STATE OF EMERGENCY ORDER:

The declaration comes the same day the state forester issued a burn ban order for the 91 counties.

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Kemp said he also directed the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and “other relevant state agencies to mobilize all necessary resources to assist with active response efforts in the southern region of the state.”

The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, unless Kemp renews it.

“We are praying for the families who have lost their homes in these devastating conditions, as well as for the first responders working around the clock,” Kemp said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations for the Pineland Road Fire burning in Clinch and Echols counties, and the Highway 82 Wildfire burning in Brantley County, according to the governor’s office.

A federal Incident Management Team (IMT) is also being called up to help with the wildfire response.

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