Millions of pounds of Georgia’s pecans are up in flames in south Georgia. The fire, which began Tuesday afternoon, engulfed two warehouses of Camilla Commodity Services, Inc., in Mitchell County. Officials say the fire is under control, though it is still burning today. Firefighters from several counties have been helping fight the blaze.
Mitchell County schools have been closed since Tuesday afternoon due to low water pressure from the firefighting efforts. Local news outlets are reporting early estimates of 8 to 10 million pounds of pecans lost in the fire. That’s roughly 5 to 7 percent of this year’s bumper pecan crop in Georgia. A pecan expert at UGA estimates Georgia farmers harvested 140 million pounds of pecans this season. There’s no word on the cause of the fire. Neither the Camilla Fire Chief nor a spokesman for the company could be reached for comment.
Mitchell County schools have been closed since Tuesday afternoon due to low water pressure from the firefighting efforts. Local news outlets are reporting early estimates of 8 to 10 million pounds of pecans lost in the fire. That’s roughly 5 to 7 percent of this year’s bumper pecan crop in Georgia. A pecan expert at UGA estimates Georgia farmers harvested 140 million pounds of pecans this season. There’s no word on the cause of the fire. Neither the Camilla Fire Chief nor a spokesman for the company could be reached for comment.
