Kemp’s order helps timber industry move fire-damaged timber before value loss
ATLANTA — Brantley County is one of 17 south Georgia counties being helped by Gov. Brian Kemp’s signing of an executive order intended to help landowners and the forestry industry reduce economic losses caused by fire-damaged timber.
The executive order, signed Friday, June 12, temporarily increases allowable truck weights in 17 of the wildfire-impacted counties, giving landowners and timber operators more flexibility to move salvageable timber before it loses market value.
State officials said timber damaged by wildfire can only be harvested and sold within a limited timeframe, making transportation a critical part of recovery efforts.
Wildfire-damaged trees can quickly lose value if they are not harvested in time, creating additional financial hardship for landowners already dealing with the aftermath of a fire.
By temporarily allowing heavier loads on qualifying trucks, state officials hope to help timber producers move more wood efficiently while supporting recovery efforts in communities affected by the fires.
Other counties benefitting from the executive order are Pierce, Ware, Bacon, Charlton, Clinch, Appling, Atkinson, Berrien, Camden, Coffee, Echols, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Lowndes and Wayne.
The temporary weight allowance is designed to help speed the removal and transport of timber from wildfire-affected properties.
The order comes as two of Georgia's most significant wildfire incidents this year have finally reached 100 percent containment, according to USA TODAY Fire Data.
The Hwy 82 Fire in Brantley County was discovered Monday, April 20 eventually burning 22,419 acres. Suppression costs for that fire are estimated at more than $19.3 million.
The Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County, first reported Saturday, April 18, burned 32,031 acres and generated an estimated $14.7 million in firefighting costs.
Combined, the two fires scorched more than 54,450 acres and became among the largest and longest-running wildfires Georgia battled during the spring fire season.
