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I’ve decided either people can’t read or they just don’t think the burn ban applies to them!
The City of Magee has been under a mandatory burn ban since October 13, 2026, and the situation is getting serious.
Our vegetation is extremely dry. All it takes is one spark, and a small brush fire can turn into a fast-moving wildfire in a matter of seconds.
Now, listen to these numbers!
From October 1 through October 15, the Magee Fire Department has responded to 38 fires! That’s 38 fires in just 15 days! Some days, our firefighters have battled three or four fires.
Can you imagine the physical toll this is taking on these men? Not to mention the time away from their families and the danger they face every time that alarm sounds.
I sat down with Magee Fire Chief David Craft Thursday morning to talk about the situation.
“In one week, we used $1,000 in gas for the trucks,” Chief Craft told me.
One thousand dollars in fuel in ONE WEEK! And that’s just the fuel.
Something I think people sometimes forget is that our county fire departments depend heavily on volunteers. The City of Magee has two employees who handle fire department responsibilities along with building inspections, checking fire hydrants, maintaining equipment and trucks, and completing required government reports.
The Magee Fire Department has maintained a Class 5 fire rating, which helps keep insurance costs lower for property owners inside the city limits. Maintaining that rating requires a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes.
But here’s something Chief Craft wants everyone to understand.
“The public needs to know violating this ban is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by fines and potentially jail time. We are writing tickets, so be ready,” David explained.
And there’s another important point. Once you light a fire, you can be held legally and financially responsible if that fire gets out of control and causes damage.
Our firefighters are being stretched thin. These men and women are leaving their jobs, their homes, and their families to respond to fires that could have been prevented.
Chief Craft is asking everyone to use common sense and show consideration for our first responders.
Sue Note:
Two things really hit home with me during my visit with Chief Craft.
First, I had no idea just how much money and manpower these fires are costing our department.
Second, if someone ignores the burn ban and starts a fire that damages another person’s property or injures a firefighter, the consequences could go far beyond a ticket. The person responsible could face serious financial and legal liability.
Folks, these firefighters are our neighbors and friends. Many are volunteers who drop whatever they’re doing when someone needs help.
Please, put down the matches!
No pile of leaves or brush is worth someone’s home, someone’s health, or someone’s life.
Let’s give our firefighters a break. They certainly deserve one.
Sue Honea — MageeNews.com
