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Consultant: Camden County wildfire risk currently low but changing climate increases future risk
Summary
Consultant Mike Iacona presented a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, finding Camden County averages about 20 wildfires a year (≈120 acres burned annually), identifying lightning as the leading ignition source, and recommending staged open‑burn restrictions, expanded wildland training and fire‑resistant construction.
Mike Iacona of the Center for Public Safety Management presented the Community Wildfire Protection Plan to the commission, saying Camden County averages roughly 20 wildfires per year and about 120 acres burned annually over the last decade. Iacona said lightning accounts for nearly 60% of ignitions and identified marsh and grass fires in a central county swath as the primary reason some fires grow larger.
Iacona praised the county’s interagency cooperation—particularly the Georgia Forestry Commission and timber industry coordination—and recommended strengthening initial‑attack response with more wildland training, expanding off‑road firefighting vehicles and crew capability, and building wildfire preparedness onto existing hurricane/evacuation outreach. He also urged staged restrictions on open burning during high‑hazard periods and encouraged fire‑resistant construction standards for new development.
During Q&A, commissioners asked about prescribed burns and smoke impacts; Iacona said prescribed burns can be effective but must be executed in proper weather windows and with community notifications to limit health impacts. He concluded the county’s current wildfire risk is low but warned that erratic weather patterns will increase wildfire frequency and impact without proactive mitigation.
