
Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency is inviting local residents to learn skills that could help their families, neighbors and community when disaster strikes by becoming members of the county’s Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT.

Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency is inviting local residents to learn skills that could help their families, neighbors and community when disaster strikes by becoming members of the county’s Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT.

The Teloga Volunteer Fire Department is reminding residents that 2026 membership dues are now due and encouraging community members to continue supporting the department’s mission of protecting the Teloga community.
Current members can conveniently pay their dues by placing their payment in the drop box located at the fire department or by stopping by the station on Monday nights after 6 p.m. to meet the firefighters and pay in person.
Residents who are not yet members are encouraged to join. The cost is $150 for the first year, with annual renewals of $50 each year after that.
Volunteer fire departments rely on community support to help provide emergency fire protection and other emergency services. Department officials say every membership helps keep the Teloga community safe.


As families prepare for Independence Day celebrations, AAA is reminding homeowners that fireworks can bring more than safety risks — they can also lead to costly property damage and liability issues.
According to AAA – The Auto Club Group, fireworks were linked to 11 reported deaths and 14,700 injuries in 2024. Fireworks also started an estimated 32,302 fires in 2023, including 3,760 structure fires and $142 million in direct property damage.
AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters says even well-planned fireworks displays can end in injury or property damage. AAA recommends homeowners review their insurance policies before the holiday to understand what is covered, including fire damage, guest injuries, detached structures and liability claims.
AAA also urges residents to keep fireworks away from homes, vehicles, decks, dry grass and trees; soak used fireworks in water before disposal; keep a water hose or bucket nearby; and never allow young children to handle fireworks, including sparklers. AAA says the safest option is attending a professional fireworks display.

Children and families will have an opportunity to learn about fire safety and meet local firefighters during a special event happening today at the Chattooga County Library in Summerville.
The Sara Hightower Regional Library System is hosting Safety Day with the Summerville Fire Department today at 11 a.m. at the Chattooga Library, located at 360 Farrar Drive.
The event is designed for children ages 0 to 11 and will feature local firefighters sharing important safety information in a fun and engaging environment. Young attendees will also have the opportunity to tour a fire truck, meet firefighters, and learn about the equipment they use to protect the community.
Organizers say the program is intended to help children become more familiar with fire safety practices while giving them a chance to interact with local first responders.
The event is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to attend and take advantage of this educational opportunity while school is out for the summer.

An annual outdoor burning ban is now in effect across Chattooga County and much of north and central Georgia.

Dry and increasingly hot conditions are expected to continue across North Georgia through the weekend and into next week, raising concerns about wildfire risk and worsening drought conditions.

Residents across Chattooga County and the broader Northwest Georgia region should remain on alert as high fire danger conditions persist through the weekend. Dry weather, low humidity, and warming temperatures are creating an elevated risk for wildfire activity.

Chattooga County remains entirely under drought conditions as March comes to a close, highlighting the deepening dry pattern that continues to affect Northwest Georgia. The drought has become a growing concern for local communities, farmers, landowners, and emergency officials as rainfall deficits continue to build and the landscape becomes increasingly dry.

Fire officials are warning that high fire danger conditions are expected today, Sunday, across much of North Georgia, with the threat lasting from the morning hours into the evening.