FORSYTH COUNTY – Citing the extreme danger posed by the dry tinder conditions being experienced by much of Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal has banned the ignition of any fireworks in an area that covers 110 counties in Georgia.

Deal cited the severity of the drought and fires already burning in north Georgia, including a new fire on Campbell Mountain in Lumpkin County.
Division Chief Barry Head with the Forsyth County Fire Department said he is glad to see the fireworks ban.

"We're facing a potentially disastrous situation," Head said. "We've got forested areas just like you see burning in the north Georgia mountains, but they don't have the population we have."

Head said the problem is a combination of low humidity and extremely dry grass and leaves on the ground.

"All it takes is a spark, and the fire is going to spread very rapidly through that fuel," he said.

Head noted that all outside burning has already been banned, including fire pits and camp fires, due to the extreme fire danger.

The ban signed by the governor on Monday does not have an expiration date. It will stay in effect until drought conditions improve and the ban is lifted.