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Camden County landfill fires spread to roughly two acres; Georgia Forestry assists with helicopter water drops; residents urge improved public alerts
Summary
Multiple fires at Camden County’s municipal solid-waste site required multi‑agency response, including the Georgia Forestry Commission; commissioners thanked staff and residents asked for a better citizen alert system to warn of smoke and fumes.
Commissioners and staff described a significant response to a spring series of landfill fires that burned through parts of the municipal solid-waste (MSW) site and required outside assistance.
Commissioner remarks and response
The chairman of the board described an MSW fire that began in warm, dry conditions and spread across roughly two acres with winds feeding flames. County crews initially used dozers and cover material, but the fire spread and officials called the Georgia Forestry Commission. The commission responded with ground crews and helicopter water drops; the chairman said the helicopter delivered roughly 700‑gallon loads and that the dropped water was contained on the landfill top and did not run off into surrounding areas.
The board recognized county landfill staff, fire-rescue, emergency management and other agencies for multi‑day response efforts that continued into the week after Easter. "A lot of our staff really came in when they otherwise would not have had to, especially on Easter," the chairman said, and he publicly thanked the crews.
Public concerns about fumes and alerts
At public comment, resident Rick Manning said neighborhood residents experienced persistent odors and smoke during multiple mornings after the fires and asked the county to consider a formal public-alert system. "When the landfill catches on fire ... it's got toxic fumes," Manning said, urging the county to use an alert mechanism similar to the COVID‑era system to warn residents when smoke or hazardous plumes could affect air quality or people with respiratory vulnerabilities.
No ordinance change or formal new alert policy was proposed at the meeting; commissioners and staff acknowledged the request and thanked responding agencies and employees.
Speakers quoted in this article are the meeting chairman (remarks on the fire) and public commenter Rick Manning.
