04/23/2026
Public Safety Advisory❗️Please read the following message from Fire Chief, Doyle Welch, Bainbridge Public Safety:
To the citizens of Bainbridge and our surrounding communities:
As your Chief, my primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of our community. I am issuing this formal notice to remind all residents and visitors that a mandatory burn ban is currently in effect for South Georgia.
Current environmental conditions have created a high risk for rapid fire development. We are witnessing the severity of this threat firsthand with the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County. This blaze, which ignited just before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, has grown from an initial 2,500 acres to nearly 30,000 acres. As of today, containment remains at just 10 percent. The speed and scale of this fire serve as a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can deteriorate and how difficult these blazes are to contain once they start.
Why Your Adherence Matters
A burn ban is not merely a regulation; it is a critical safeguard for our neighbors, our firefighters, and our property. Bear in mind when we are under these conditions:
Fuels are volatile: Dry vegetation and low humidity mean that even a small, seemingly controlled spark can ignite a fast-moving, dangerous fire.
Resources are limited: When our crews are diverted to respond to preventable brush or debris fires, our capacity to respond to other emergencies such as structure fires and vehicle accidents is strained.
Conditions are unpredictable: As we are witnessing in Clinch County, fires in our region can grow beyond control with startling speed. We must ensure we do not contribute to this threat here in Bainbridge.
What You Must Do:
Effective immediately, please refrain from all outdoor burning. This includes, but is not limited to, burning yard debris, leaves, or household trash.
Regarding Grilling:
If you are grilling outside where the fire is contained in the grill, please ensure you stay with it at all times. Once you have finished cooking, make sure the fire is extinguished completely. Grills left unattended after cooking with coals still hot present a significant risk, as they could easily be knocked over by wind or pets, creating a fire that could spread rapidly.
We are counting on your cooperation to keep our city and our region safe. Please remain vigilant, monitor local news for updates, and report any suspicious smoke or fire activity immediately by calling 911.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping Bainbridge safe.
Doyle Welch
Fire Chief, City of Bainbridge
