A brush fire that sent a plume of black smoke over parts of Banks, Habersham and Hall counties Sunday also burned a mobile home, scorched two acres of land and injured a firefighter, according to a situation report released Monday by Banks County Fire and Emergency Services.
Units were dispatched around 2:07 p.m. to 222 Sandy Drive in Alto, where they found active fire involving brush, more than 100 discarded tires and a mobile home. Fire crews quickly brought the mobile home fire under control, limiting the damage to the structure, Fire Chief Steve Nichols wrote in the report.
The discarded tires were separated and extinguished as firefighters worked with the Georgia Forestry Commission to contain and put out the surrounding brush fire. The scene was cleared at 4:51 p.m.
Nichols said the fire started when a resident attempted to burn brush and the flames got out of control. State and local authorities are now investigating the large pile of used tires on the property for potential improper disposal. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is assisting in that review.
One firefighter suffered minor burns to a hand during the response. No civilian injuries were reported.
Smoke from the burning tires drifted for miles, prompting dozens of calls to 911 across the region Sunday afternoon.
