Tift County Emergency Management Agency

04/22/2026

URGENT: Outdoor Burn Ban Issued for South Georgia
Due to worsening drought conditions and rising wildfire activity, Georgia’s State Forester has issued a mandatory ban on outdoor burning for 91 counties in the lower half of the state.
This is the first mandatory burn ban in Georgia Forestry Commission history.
The ban covers counties from Harris County to Columbia County and south to the Florida line.
It is effective immediately and will remain in place for at least 30 days.
This means:
❌ No prescribed burns
❌ No burning yard debris
❌ No agricultural burning
🔥 98% of Georgia is in moderate to exceptional drought
🔥 Wildfires are already above the 5-year average
As State Forester Johnny Sabo said:
“Just one spark or ember can ignite a life-threatening wildfire.”
⚠️ What you need to do:
• Do NOT burn outdoors
• Follow all local guidance and restrictions
• Be extremely cautious with anything that could create a spark
Our firefighters are responding to a near-record number of wildfires. We need everyone’s help to prevent the next one.
🔗 Read the full release:
https://gatrees.org/state-forester-issues-burn-ban-for.../
Fighting fire. Protecting forests. Serving Georgia.

04/15/2026

This week, April 12-18, 2026, we proudly recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) and honor the voices behind the headset—those always heard but seldom seen.

They are the calm in the chaos.
The steady voice on the other end of the line when someone is facing the worst moment of their life.

While providing reassurance and guidance to those in crisis, they are simultaneously delivering critical, real-time information—helping ensure the safety of our first responders and the individuals they are rushing in to protect.

Every call they take is a lifeline. Every word matters. Every second counts.

To our public safety telecommunicators: thank you for your unwavering professionalism, compassion, and dedication. Your work saves lives, often without recognition—but never without impact.

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

Tift County EMA will be testing our weather sirens at 2 P.M. today.
We are continually assessing the effectiveness and functionality of our weather alert notification systems. The intent of the Weather Sirens is to notify people who are outdoors of possible dangerous weather conditions. A more efficient method that we utilize is the Citizen Alert System via Everbridge. If you follow the link below, you can set up an account and receive notifications via your smartphone no matter where you are, as long as you have cell service or wi-fi connectivity. https://member.everbridge.net/892807736723190/login

03/16/2026

03/10/2026

Tift County EMA will be testing our weather sirens at 2 P.M. today.

We are continually assessing the effectiveness and functionality of our weather alert notification systems. The intent of the Weather Sirens is to notify people who are outdoors of possible dangerous weather conditions. A more efficient method that we utilize is the Citizen Alert System via Everbridge. If you follow the link below, you can set up an account and receive notifications via your smartphone no matter where you are, as long as you have cell service or wi-fi connectivity. https://member.everbridge.net/892807736723190/login