Heavy smoke in Gilmer County on April 11th was cause for concern for several citizens.  FYN inquired with local City of Ellijay Fire Chief Sam West who promptly checked into it for us.

The smoke hanging over Gilmer today and creating the familiar haze from not too long ago was actually due to a prescribed burn in our neighboring county of Murray (Chatsworth, GA).  A shift in the wind caused the smoke to travel over and made many worry there was a fire nearby.  It is described as under control and only the smoke has traveled our way.

Controlled or prescribed burning, also known as hazard reduction burning (HRB), backfire, or swailing, is a technique sometimes used in forest management, farming, prairie restoration or greenhouse gas abatement.