On Saturday June 14, Dawson County Emergency Services Station Six and Big Canoe volunteer firefighters will host a barbeque and fundraiser from 11am till 2pm at Station Six on Hubbard Road just across from the north gate of Big Canoe.  Don’t miss this cookout featuring chicken and burgers along with a raffle for prizes.  Plates are $6. 

“All funds raised will be used to purchase wildland firefighting gear for the volunteer firefighters of Dawson County Station Six and the Big Canoe Fire Department,” stated Dawson County Emergency Services Chief Lanier Swafford.  “In 2005, Dawson County hosted a wildland firefighter class taught by the Georgia Forestry Commission.  The additional gear is needed to support the volunteers of the Big Canoe area,” he continued. 

“Last year, drought conditions contributed to wildfires that burned more than 500,000 acres statewide, with 1744 fires in the Rome/Gainesville districts burning over 10,000 acres,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Chief Ranger Carolyn Sweatman.  These districts include both Dawson and Pickens counties.

“Wildland firefighting differs greatly from structural firefighting.  It is dependent heavily on the weather, the terrain, the vegetation and the location,”  Swafford said. “Wildland Urban Interface poses the greatest challenge inside the Big Canoe community," he continued.  “Any proactive efforts, such as raising funds to equip our members in this effort are applauded and will greatly enhance our level of readiness.”