Sunday, March 23, 2025–9:11 p.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

The Rome-Floyd County Fire Department and the Georgia Forestry Commission spent Sunday afternoon into the evening fighting a wildfire along Highway 156 (New Rosedale Road) in Armuchee.

According to Rome-Floyd Fire Department Battalion Chief Roger Haggard, he called for an evacuation when the fire got close to the Southern Woods subdivision.

“Once it burned up to the road and we didn’t have any problem with it jumping the road—it did cross Highway 156 in two different places—but once we got that to where it burned up to the road and extinguished, we were able to allow folks to go back home,” he said.

The rapidly spreading fire was contained after Forestry Commission crews plowed a break.

“We had one structure—an outbuilding—that was destroyed, and the house in the yard was damaged,” Haggard said.

Sunday’s fire in Armuchee and the potential for property damage is the reason why fire officials have been pleading with the public not to burn outside, especially on windy days.

“Wait until the wind is not blowing,” Haggard said. “Preferably, as far as you just doing some cleanup around your house, just wait until it rains. Look at the weather, and look at that humidity level, if you are familiar with that, that determines a lot along with wind conditions. That would help us out tremendously. Also, as things get greener. It’s getting better, but give it a few more weeks.”

The fire was just one of several reported in the area on Sunday.