County donates to fire effort

As nearly 900 firefighters from throughout the Southeast battle wildfires in south Georgia, officials from Columbia County continue to collect donations to help in the effort.

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Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue Chief Doug Cooper delivered a van full of supplies to the front lines of the fires Saturday morning, said Columbia County Emergency Services Division Director Pam Tucker.

"They were thrilled to get the supplies," Ms. Tucker said, but added that more items are needed - especially bottled water, sports drinks, beef jerky and moleskin pads for foot blisters.

Many of the supplies sent down Saturday came from the John Deere plant near Grovetown, where, Deere employee Cathy Jones said, workers contributed nearly $700 that was used to purchase supplies.

Area residents also delivered donations to Martinez-Columbia fire stations and to the office of The Columbia County News-Times. Additional donations are being sought through noon Friday at those locations, Ms. Tucker said, with firefighters from Martinez-Columbia planning to deliver the items.

The Joint Fire Information Center, in Waycross, Ga., reported Monday that four additional fires started during the weekend because of lightning strikes, raising the total acres affected by wildfires to nearly 110,000.

Crews from Martinez-Columbia and from the county's Georgia Forestry Unit have been assisting with firefighting efforts for the past three weeks.

For information on making donations to assist in local efforts, call Columbia County's information number, 311.