Governor Perdue Requests Presidential Emergency Declaration

Also announces funds for Bryan County Fire, extends emergency declaration for another 30 days

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue sent a letter to President George W. Bush today requesting an Emergency Declaration for all 21 Georgia counties impacted by the continual widespread threat of drought and wildfires that has consumed more than 490,000 acres.

"The affected local governments and the State of Georgia are depending on this broad level of assistance to save lives, protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen and avert the threat of a disaster," Governor Perdue wrote to President Bush.

The Emergency Declaration requested by the Governor would provide public assistance funds for mobilization and demobilization reimbursements associated with firefighting costs for state and local governments. In addition, the declaration could include reimbursement costs for debris removal around threatened property and the removal of fire damaged property. The counties included are Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Glynn, Lanier, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware and Wayne. 

"We appreciate the five federal Fire Suppression Management Grants that have already been approved to help fight these wildfires. We are grateful for the continual partnerships between FEMA Region IV, the Georgia Forestry Commission, affected local governments, and all of the other agencies from around the state and nation helping Georgia in this monumental firefighting effort. This declaration will support the initial attack on new fires before they cause significant damage," said Governor Perdue. "We simply need more assistance now that the fires have burned for so long and consumed so many acres."

The Emergency Declaration could secure additional critical resources including tractor plow strike teams, heavy land clearing equipment, portable command posts, hand crews, irrigation and infrared equipment, personal protective equipment, engines, tankers, portable tanks, pumps and hose lays.

In addition, the declaration would help to maintain a command structure for wildfire mop-up, an aggressive public information campaign regarding fire prevention, burn authorization restrictions and apprehension of arsonists.

The declaration would also enhance the advanced fire detection program that includes night time fire detection flights, the maintenance of the fire and aviation safety team, a document team and an expanded dispatch and intelligence section.

Governor Sonny Perdue also announced today that additional federal funds have been authorized to assist in fighting the "Harveytown Fire" threatening the community of Pembroke in Bryan County.

The funds were requested by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

As of Thursday evening, the fire had burned approximately 400 acres.  Mandatory evacuations were ordered as more than 245 homes, two schools and 100 businesses are threatened by the wildfire’s path. Under the authorization, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs.  Federal fire suppression aid is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA.  Eligible costs can include: emergency equipment, supplies, operation centers, firefighter safety items, mobilization costs and other firefighting needs.

Governor Perdue also extended his declaration of a state of emergency in Southeast Georgia for an additional 30 days. The original declaration on May 2 expires today. The extension expires June 30.

More than 1,500 firefighters are in their seventh week of battling southeast Georgia wildfires, fueled by extreme drought conditions, low humidity and gusty winds. 

The Executive Order extending the state of emergency declaration is below:

BY THE GOVERNOR:

Whereas:   Prolonged severe drought conditions existing across southeastern Georgia have created an extreme and widespread threat for wildland fires; and

WHEREAS:   Numerous wildland fires are impacting this same area, with some of those fires being the largest in Georgia’s recorded history, having consumed over 490,000 acres to date; and

WHEREAS:   These wildland fires are creating significant and immediate threats to homes, businesses, industries and the citizens of Georgia; and

WHEREAS:   These hazardous conditions require that the public be extremely vigilant regarding fire activity in their vicinity; and

WHEREAS:    The public should not conduct any outdoor burning that could contribute to this dangerous situation; and 

WHEREAS:    This unprecedented event requires  the assistance of the State of Georgia to protect the public health, preserve the safety of the public, prevent major destruction, and restore the social and economic welfare of these communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY

ORDERED:   That the  State of Emergency previously declared on May 2, 2007 in Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Glynn, Lanier, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne Counties due to the existing extreme drought and unique forest fuel conditions, be and is hereby extended for a period of an additional 30 days until midnight June 30, 2007, or until the end of an additional period of time as may be authorized by further Executive Order.

It is Further

ORDERED:   That personnel and equipment resources of the State of Georgia be made available to assist the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and local governments in the response and recovery activities currently being undertaken in the above mentioned counties consistent with the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan.

                                    Any inconsistent prior order is hereby rescinded.

                                    This 1st day of June, 2007

                                    Governor Sonny Perdue