On July 9, I joined a crew of 20 firefighters from across the state of Georgia mobilizing for a hand-crew assignment to the Taylor Hollow fire in Virginia’s George Washington National Forest. It was my first out-of-state assignment after completing several …
A new school year brings new opportunities to explore – and here’s my secret: you don’t need an entire forest to get started! It only takes one tree, one safe space outdoors, and one person willing to take the time to get students outside. A single tree …
Summer in Georgia is hot! We, our pets, and our AC bills are all feeling the heat. But don’t forget that our trees are also dealing with heat stress. They do a ton of work to cool our homes and communities, but also need some extra care in the intense …
Becky Waller and Ashley Booth, response center managers at Tifton and Macon, respectively. In the latest episode of our podcast, The Georgia Forestry Forum, we turn the spotlight to the often-unsung heroes on the front lines of wildfire response: the …
“The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The next best time is now.” You’ve likely heard that quote before. While its origin is unclear, it famously applies to trees – and for good reason! Trees provide beautiful and functional benefits for us …
Graduation season is an exciting time filled with celebrations, milestones, and big questions about what comes next. For recent graduates searching for meaningful work, a little adventure, and the opportunity to make a real difference, forestry may be the …
As the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) continues its work to protect and sustain Georgia’s forests, experienced leadership remains critical to that mission. Chris Howell brings 17 years of agency experience to his position as Associate Chief of Forest …
As news about the historic South Georgia wildfires continues to improve, firefighting efforts have shifted into the closing stages. Crews are now focused on the “mop-up” phase, which is just as critical as the initial attack. What is mop up? Mop-up is the …
As Georgia’s forest industry positions itself for future growth, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is providing skilled support to lead the way. Ryan Phillips has been named Associate Chief of Markets and Innovation for GFC, effective June 1, 2026. “ …
The State Forester Burn Ban in South Georgia has been amended, reducing the area to 17 counties. The original ban was implemented on April 22nd, covering 91 counties in southern Georgia where exceptional drought levels and increasing wildfire activity …
Beginning May 1, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) open burning ban will be in effect for 54 Georgia counties. The ban, which has been in place every summer since 2005, affects many of the counties in north and central Georgia (a full …
Blog by: Johnny Sabo, GFC Director In anticipation of elevated wildfire risk following Hurricane Helene and ongoing drought conditions, the Georgia Forestry Commission has spent the past several years strengthening wildfire preparedness, prevention, …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 22, 2026 Georgia’s extreme drought is worsening and the risk of wildfires is rising, especially in southern region of the state. As a result, Georgia’s State Forester today issued a ban on outdoor burning for 91 counties in the …
GFC Guest blog by Gloria Camacho, Director, Georgia Forestry Foundation Georgians are joining more than one billion people in 190+ countries this week to celebrate Earth Day! Wednesday, April 22, 2026 is the 56th anniversary of this global environmental …
Have your conversations turned to “yellow” yet? They will be soon. Pollen time is upon us. And as much as we humans may dislike the dust, birds, bees, and trees really dig it! We’ve shared this information before and it deserves another go’round. As you …
Across Georgia, dry conditions have led to an increase in wildfire activity. When rainfall is limited and vegetation dries out, even the smallest spark can quickly turn into a wildfire. That’s why the Georgia Forestry Commission is urging everyone to use …
PHOTO CAPTION: Roger Todd, Chief Ranger for Charlton County, was presented the 2025 Director’s Award at the State Capitol. L to R (Front Row): Kris Butler, GFC Deputy Director; Roger Todd, Charlton County Chief Ranger; Johnny Sabo, GFC Director L to R ( …
A Coweta County man has been indicted by Georgia Forestry Commission law enforcement officials on charges of failure to pay for natural products and theft by conversion following an investigation into suspected timber theft. Forty-one-year-old Jeremy Evens …
A Union County man is in custody following his arrest by law enforcement officials with the North Carolina Forest Service, with assistance from the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Law Enforcement unit, on wildland arson charges. Forty-eight-year-old Kevin …
Live Oak Champion Tree located in Waycross, Georgia. Georgia’s Arbor Day is the ideal time to celebrate the champions among us – Champion Trees, that is! The Champion Tree Program is a vital initiative that highlights the tallest and most majestic trees …
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