Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Health experts say moving firewood has been linked to the spread of destructive, non-native insects and diseases to forest ecosystems. While these pests can’t move far on their own, they can travel hundreds of miles when people move firewood, logs, chips, and mulch. Forest pests can kill our native trees and be very expensive, if not impossible, to control.

Cooler nights, sunny days, and adequate rainfall are signaling the beginning of the fall foliage season. Trees are on track to display vivid changes in color over the next four weeks.

Fall color change in Northwest GA remains approximately one week behind last year. Many areas from 1500 to 3000 feet are currently at peak, displaying a wide variety of vivid yellows and dull reds. A large percentage of red maple have transformed into differing shades of bright and vivid yellows with occasional reds dramatically changing the views seen from overlooks and valleys. Chestnut oak, red oak, and white oak have made significant changes as they are currently exhibiting shades of gold, brown, and yellow.   

The Firefighter Property (FFP) Program refers to excess Department of Defense (DoD) property that is suitable for use in providing fire and emergency services.   The FFP Program began in 2005; Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) began participating in 2012.  The US Department of Defense (DoD) allows USFS to manage excess DoD Firefighting property transfers.  USFS works in cooperation with the State agency responsible for wildland and rural firefighting to ensure authorized and qualified firefighting entities are Users/Recipients of the property.