Governor Perdue Announces Additional Fire Funds
Arson Investigation Task Force Arrests Two for Arson

ATLANTA (May 10, 2007) – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that additional federal funds have been authorized to assist in fighting the "Bugaboo Scrub Fire" threatening Ware and Charlton counties. The fire has burned approximately 68,650 acres in Georgia and Florida.

   "I appreciate FEMA's prompt response to our request for additional assistance," said Governor Perdue. "Local, state, and federal governments continue to partner with the community to make sure Southeast Georgia recovers. This has been a tremendous team effort at a very trying time." 

   The funds were requested by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

   Hundreds of firefighters are in their fourth week of battling the wildfire which is being fueled by extreme drought conditions, low humidity and gusty winds. Under the authorization, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs. Federal fire suppression aid is provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA. Eligible costs can include: emergency equipment, supplies, operation centers, firefighter safety items, mobilization costs and other firefighting needs. 

   Governor Perdue also announced that the first ever Arson Investigation Task Force assembled by the Georgia Forestry Commission has charged two juveniles with arson in its first week. 

   "As I told the people of Southeast Georgia a few weeks ago it's the arsonists who are going to get burned," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "We will continue to find and prosecute them to keep our state safe. We have a zero-tolerance policy for this kind of behavior." 

   The arson task force is comprised of fire investigators from South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Mississippi. It is being assisted by advisors of the Department of Homeland Security, and state and local law enforcement. 

   Four bloodhound trailing teams are in the area and one has followed a footprint left at the fire scene resulting in one juvenile's arrest. All arson fires have been contained. Fire investigators are following over 100 leads since last week and are continuing to involve the bloodhounds in their efforts. 

Investigators are still looking for a black, extended cab, late 90's Chevrolet pick-up truck driven by an arson witness. It was last seen Sunday evening in the area of Slaughterville in Brantley County. Anyone who has seen the vehicle is asked to call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-282-5804. There is a $15,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) responsible for arson.