By Ronnie Moore
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company
RINGGOLD, Ga. — About 25 grass fires of undetermined origin burned for several hours Wednesday afternoon along three miles of Interstate 75 between Ringgold and Cloud Springs Road, officials said.
The fires were reported early Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
“Firefighters from the Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe and East Ridge fire departments and three Georgia Forestry Commission engines and a dozer responded to the situation,” state District Forester Carl Malear said in a telephone interview from his office in Rome, Ga.
He said the report from Chuck Arnold, chief forestry ranger on the scene, was that the fires were believed to have originated from vehicles or equipment traveling north on Interstate 75. All the fires were on the east side of the highway.
While fire crews worked to contain the blazes, several law enforcement vehicles blocked off the right lane of northbound traffic, slowing vehicles and backing up traffic.
Heavy smoke, aided by winds, drifted across the interstate, swirling from bare or grassy hillsides and billowing from forested gullies and ravines.
Mr. Malear said he received reports from Mr. Arnold that about 25 different fires were counted.
“Mr. Arnold said the fires were contained by midafternoon with expectations of gaining control soon,” he said.
Mr. Arnold remained on the scene as night approached.
Mr. Malear said it was his understanding the East Ridge Fire Department responded across the state line under provisions of a mutual aid agreement.
As Forestry Commission members stationed in Catoosa County turned out to fight the flames and smoke along the three-mile stretch of interstate, telephone calls to their number were transferred to Walker County and later to Dade County.