ATLANTA - Gov. Sonny Perdue on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in 21 counties in southeast Georgia that have been ravaged by some of the largest wildfires in the state's history.
In an executive order, Perdue said severe drought conditions have created an extreme threat for wildland fires.
"The state of Georgia is committed to being there to help these communities for as long as it takes to put these fires out," Perdue said.
The state of emergency covers the following counties: Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Glynn, Lanier, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware and Wayne.
The order ensures that state resources are available to assist the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and local governments in the response and recovery efforts. It also anticipates the need for action in areas that may still be hit by fires.
The order came a day after Perdue visited Waycross, where he met with local officials and first responders. Georgia officials predict it will cost about $18 million to fight the wildfires which have so far consumed over 100,000 acres.
Perdue issued a second executive order on Wednesday that provides permits for oversize trucks that are removing burnt timber from the wildfires.
