BRANTLEY COUNTY, Ga. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency said that rumors that it stopped aid and pulled firefighters from the Georgia wildfires are false.
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In a Facebook post, the agency said it is supporting the state-led response through the Fire Management Assistance Grants Program to help reimburse fire suppression efforts.
Elijah Johnson moved to Brantley County a few months ago from Alaska to start a business. He said he’s lived near massive wildfires in the nation’s biggest state, but said the property loss in Brantley is devastating.
“Coming from Alaska and we’re used to wildfires, it could’ve been better,” Johnson said. “They were super delayed, at one point, we weren’t getting updates.”
Johnson said he’s surprised that a federal disaster hasn’t been declared with the number of homes lost, but at the same time, he isn’t because of the wildfire’s size.
For FEMA to declare a federal disaster, it needs to be determined that Georgia can’t cover the losses in the fire and Governor Brian Kemp must request the federal money for the residents.
Local residents are watching what happens as dozens of homeowners are returning to their properties, many without a place to live anymore.
“I don’t know it’s up to the insurance companies if they pay for it or not covered because it’s an act of God,” Ricky Snead said.
Brantley County Manager Joey Carson sought to calm the rumors, saying officials had reached a compromise to stagger shifts so crews could get rest and attend to family needs.
Carson spoke alongside a member of the Georgia Incident Management Team, Maj. Oliver, who is working with the team providing structural protection. Carson said local firefighters had been working for seven days and he initially considered pulling them off the line to ensure their safety and well-being.
“We’re going to start working for the local firefighters and shifts as I can get through,” Carson said, adding the change was meant to “ensure that they’re getting plenty of rest and time to be with some of their families.”
Carson said some of the confusion stemmed from the scale of the response. “We’ve got 550 people here,” he said, and most movements on the incident “are for specific reasons,” often tied to safety. He noted the operation includes aircraft, drones and highly trained personnel to monitor conditions and protect people and property.
“We’re not going to take a chance on getting somebody hurt,” Carson said, urging residents to disregard rumors and thanking the public for its cooperation.
Many of the locals said they think the response to the wildfires has been great.
“I actually think the community came together and is helping so much,” Kaylee Young said.
Jeff Houston said that his property was saved.
“It got 100 feet from my property and these people right here saved it,” Houston said.