Georgia Forestry Commission

The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is a state agency responsible for providing leadership, service and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia's forest resources. District and county offices are located throughout the state. The local office is in Clarkesville. The director of the GFC is known as the state forester.

Commission professionals provide a wide variety of services including fire detection, issuing burn permits, wildfire suppression and prevention services, emergency and incident command system expertise, rural fire department assistance, forest management assistance to landowners and communities, the marketing and utilization of forest resources and nature services, and growing and selling quality tree seedlings for planting.

One of the most visible aspects of the GFC is forest fire related. The Georgia Forestry Commission is responsible for all wildfire suppression. Georgia averages more than 8,000 wildfires annually with an average size of four and a half acres per fire. Careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in Georgia.

GFC personnel are prepared to respond as needed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dispatchers take fire calls during non-business hours.

Wildfire season refers to the time of year when most wildfires occur in a particular state or region. In Georgia, the fire season is during the dry and windy months of February through May. Changes in yearly weather can make the season earlier, later or longer.

To report wildfires, arson or arsonists, call 706-754-2354 or dial 911.