Kelli Hernandez
VALDOSTA — Two fires that ignited in the early morning hours Thursday were determined to be acts of arson, according to Lowndes County Fire Chief Jim Fielding.
Arson Investigators from the Georgia Forestry Commission are looking into the wildfires that were started on Skipper Bridge and Tower Roads. Fielding stated that investigators are sure the fires were set because there were multiple set points.
“Lowndes County Fire Rescue is not eliminating any steps to prosecute anyone caught setting fires,” Fielding said.
Two bulldozers used to contain the fire at the Skipper Bridge Road fire were dispatched out to the Tower Road fire joining the two bulldozers already on the scene.
“The only reason we are able to attack and control fires so quickly in Lowndes County is the partnership we have with the Georgia Forestry Commission,” Fielding said.
Georgia Forestry automatically responds to assist with any grass or wild fires in Lowndes County, according to Fielding.
There have been approximately seven fires set in Lowndes County in the past two weeks, according to the GFC District 8 Office.
The Valdosta Fire Department has also seen a recent rise in arson fires responding to 12 in the past two weeks resulting in three arrests, according to Chief J.D. Rice.
