FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council will showcase fresh perspectives, national decision-makers, the latest wildland fire research and much more during its 2020 annual meeting on Wednesday, September 30, from 10 AM – 3 PM. All elements of the online gathering are designed to promote stronger relationships and increased knowledge about prescribed fire. A dynamic agenda supports those goals.
A number of organizations have partnered to bring together speakers and topics that further prescribed fire knowledge for practitioners and affiliated community and environmental advocates. Key members of the planning team include the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The Georgia Wildlife Federation, and the Jones Center at Ichauway.
“The Council is excited to have Gov. Brian Kemp on this year’s program,” said Mark Melvin, Chair of the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils. “We’re also proud to welcome guest speaker U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Their participation reflects the importance of Georgia’s fire program and its role as a national leader.”
Registration for the highly anticipated event opened on Tuesday, September 8. Review the Zoom meeting agenda and sign up to participate at https://nwf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l51tC-pWR42TPNmWzyIZqQ
“The Georgia DNR supports prescribed fire and is proud of fire practitioners’ careful application this year during these sensitive times,” said Dr. Jon Ambrose, Chief of Georgia DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section. “Prescribed burning improves habitat for wildlife, reduces fuel loads, and lowers the risk of wildfire smoke impacts to our communities.”
Georgia Forestry Commission Acting Director Gary White will open the meeting with an update on “The State of Fire in Georgia.” Recent air quality episodes will be discussed by Georgia Environmental Protection Division Program Manager James Broylan. The lineup also features a panel discussion about longleaf pine and training and partnership opportunities for landowners.
“This is a meeting that’s generating a lot of excitement and shouldn’t be missed,” said Wildlife Resources Division Fire Safety Officer and long-time council steering committee member Shan Cammack. “We’re all in this extraordinary situation together and sharing and discovering new tools and insights will make a real difference for our prescribed fire mission.”
As an 80- year-old outdoorsman, I can remember how my grandpa who was born in 1878, went about burning his timberland each winter before green-up took place, advocated that burning the woods will keep trees healthier and rid the woods of insects. This was near the Chestatee River years before Lake Lainer.
Most of the neighborhood farms of any size burn their woods too.
Hopefully, some good will come from these meetings.
agreas