Local firefighters called to help with wildfire in Clinch County 

HOUSTON COUNTY — Firefighters from Houston County and Perry have been tasked with helping combat the Pineland Road fire in Clinch County as it continues to spread. 

The Clinch County wildfire has grown to over 32,000 acres and is only about 10% contained. Houston County Fire Chief Chris Stoner said they sent an apparatus and four personnel to Clinch County. 

The county sent Lieutenant Cody Parker, Firefighter John Tolbert, Firefighter Evan Perry and Firefighter Andrew Allison. They have since been relocated to help out with the Brantley County fires. In response to that, the county sent additional personnel to Clinch County: Captain Burton and Firefighters Marcy, Mixon, and Rice. 

City of Perry firefighters Vince Walls, Cory Gaston, and Brady Bearden have been deployed in Clinch County. 

Both agencies have been tasked with structural protection for the homes in the vicinity of that wildfire. Both Parker and Stoner said these firefighters volunteered to help those affected. 

“We had an overwhelming response to that as I’ve had about 30 people willing to go,” Stoner said. “In situations like this, I try to pick one person from each shift. That way, it limits the impacts here locally.” 

With a fire of this magnitude, both Stoner and Parker agreed it is their job as neighbors to help out when needed. 

“They didn’t have the staffing down there as there are a lot of volunteers in the Southeast counties and we have folks available that we can send down there,” Parker said. “They would do the same for us if we were having issues up here.” 

According to Stoner, wildfires of this size are not as common, but also not unheard of. Most occur in South Georgia, as there is more open land and more densely populated. 

“The benefit we have here in Houston [County] is that we have a lot of developed land which is not as susceptible to wildfires,” he said. 

Stoner said the risk is still there as the county is currently in a level one drought condition. The state has also enacted a burn ban for many counties, including Houston County; however, Stoner said they deal with four to five unauthorized burns a day. 

Parker and Stoner hope their guys stay safe, do the best they can, and serve those as they would around here locally. 

To donate to those affected by the wildfires, go to the Brantley County, Clinch County, and Echols County Emergency Management Facebook pages.