October is the month in Georgia that the chances for wild fires increase. This greater chance for wild fires continues until the late fall and early winter rains arrive in December. Georgia averages about 8700 forest fires each year that damage or destroy about 38,000 forest acres. It is these kind of wild fires that threaten human life and property.

Georgia remains one of the top pulp and paper states in the nation. Timber is the highest valued vegetative crop in Georgia. Trees can be used to make thousands of consumer items. On average, each American will use about 3 pounds of wood products per day. Georgia's forest resource creates a $25.4 billion direct and indirect impact.

From 1983 through 2002...Georgians have replanted nearly 7.85 million acres in trees - that's 1075 acres a day - which is 698,750 trees per day. About 1.78 trees are planted for every one harvested to ensure that future forests will continue to support our economy and environment. An estimated 80,000 acres of forecast land are naturally regenerated each year.

Trees are also important in urban communities. Trees reduce energy costs, improve air and water quality, and help control storm water.

Careless burning of debris continues to be the leading cause of wild fires in Georgia. The percentage of fires by cause include:

• DEBRIS BURNING...49 PERCENT.
• WOODS ARSON... 18 PERCENT
• MACHINE USE... 11 PERCENT.
• MISCELLANEOUS... 6 PERCENT.
• LIGHTNING... 5 PERCENT.
• CHILDREN... 4 PERCENT.
• SMOKING... 3 PERCENT.
• RAILROAD... 3 PERCENT.
• CAMPFIRE... 1 PERCENT.

• REMEMBER TO GET A BURN PERMIT BEFORE INITIATING OUTDOOR BURNS BY CALLING YOUR LOCAL GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION OFFICE.
• REMOVE LEAVES AND OTHER VEGETATIVE DEBRIS FROM THE ROOF AND GUTTERS OF YOUR HOUSE.
• REMOVE DEAD AND OVERHANGING BRANCHES.
• STORE FIREWOOD AT LEAST 30 FEET FROM YOUR HOME.
• KEEPING YOUR HOME FIRE WISE REDUCES ITS RISK TO WILD FIRE.