BRANTLEY COUNTY, Georgia — The Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF) presented an $85,000 grant to Brantley County Family Connection to help more than 30 families recovering from the historic Highway 82 Fire.
The money is intended to help repair and replace wells, septic systems and other essential infrastructure.
Earlier this year, Brantley County experienced the most destructive wildfire for residential property loss in Georgia history.
According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Highway 82 Fire destroyed 110 homes, damaged another 27 homes, and burned 22,419 acres of land before it was fully contained.
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At the same time, Georgia firefighters battled the nearby Pineland Road Fire, which burned an additional 10,000 acres, which placed an extraordinary strain on first responders, emergency personnel and communities across South Georgia.
“Our industry is navigating some turbulent times right now,” said Tim Lowrimore, President and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association. “What happened in Brantley County reminds us that forestry is more than an industry, it’s a community.”
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In April, GFF established the Forest Wildfire Recovery Fund to provide direct, practical assistance to forest landowners, families, wildland firefighters, first responders and rural communities affected by the fires in Brantley County and across South Georgia.
“The overwhelming generosity shown through the Georgia Forestry Foundation’s first-ever wildfire relief fund reflects a spirit of altruism that has always been at the heart of Georgia forestry,” Lowrimore said
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