Paulding County became the latest wildfire hot spot in Georgia on Tuesday as a blaze grew to 50 acres, burning in the western part of the county.
The fire was contained by 6 p.m. and remained under control after Georgia Forestry tractors plowed breaks and was working to eliminate remaining fuel inside the perimeter.
Residents within a 10 mile radius can expect heavy smoke in the area for at least another 10 hours as “large amount of smoke,” was produced, Steve Mapes, spokesman for Paulding County Fire and Rescue, said.
The fire was visible in towns such as Dallas, Yorkville and Rockmart.
No homes or other structures were in immediate danger, Mapes said. Crews from the Georgia Forestry Commission are reinforcing fire breaks that have been dug around the perimeter of the fire.
As of 3 p.m., the fire was about 75 percent contained, Mapes said.
“Wind continues to spread heavy smoke across many parts of western Paulding County,” he said. “Residents should anticipate smoke to persist throughout the night and possibly into the morning hours (Wednesday).”
Statewide, there were 106 new wildfire calls since Monday, GFC spokeswoman Wendy Burnett said.
“We are monitoring several ‘old’ fires due to leaves falling on our containment lines,” Burnett said.
Just over the state line in Chattanooga, a Code Red air quality alert was issued until 4 p.m. Wednesday as smoke covered the downtown area, the Chattanooga Times-Free Press reported.
“Ground level ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards,” according to the alert, which was issued by the National Weather Service.
“This was the worst I have seen in 12 years of living (in Chattanooga), ” said Dr. John Boldt, a respiratory and critical care specialist. “I have asthma, and it was bad for me.”
Drivers should set their vehicle’s air conditioners to the “recirculate” cabin air setting instead of the setting that pulls in outside air, Boldt said. “That will keep the smoke out of their car.”
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