Fire investigators: Floyd County fires not intentionally set
FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. - State officials said the more than 50 acres that burned this week in Floyd and Polk counties was not intentionally set, but was sparked by an automobile.
The Georgia Forestry Commission said late Friday afternoon that a malfunctioning exhaust system on an automobile's catalytic converter sparked the initial blazes on Tuesday.
“Despite some reports, the fires were not intentionally set, nor are they suspicious in any way,” Brian Clavier, Chief of Law Enforcement for the Georgia Forestry Commission released in a statement to FOX 5 News. “Three structures were damaged in a series of about a dozen fires.”
RELATED: Raging brush fires contained in Floyd County
The fire burned along U.S. 27 in the Booger Hollow community near Rome. Forestry officials were able to contain the fires within 48 hours and have spent the rest of the week hitting hot spots.
The Georgia Forestry Commission warns everyone that the fire danger is significantly increased due to the extreme drought in north Georgia.