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Firefighters battle blazes around county
House fires pic
Fire crews battle a blaze March 12 that destroyed a home on Backwoods Trail in western Dawson County. - photo by Michele Hester Dawson Community News

Three residential structure fires in six days have emergency personnel urging the community to be cautious and prepared.

"We've had more fire in the last week than we've had all year," Dawson County Emergency Services Chief Lanier Swafford said on Monday.

"This is a reminder of the need to be careful. Be cautious, have a home escape plan and working smoke detectors. Those are critical."

On March 11, crews were able to save a Price Road mobile home after an outside fire got out of control, Swafford said.

The owners of homes on Backwoods Trail in western Dawson County and Perimeter Road near downtown Dawsonville were not as fortunate.

"The house on Backwoods was completely destroyed," said Swafford, who added that a wind advisory was in effect for the county when that blaze ignited March 12.

The owner was able to escape without injury, as was the resident in the Perimeter Road fire on Sunday afternoon, which destroyed a detached garage and apartment.

"It's a total loss, too," Swafford said.

While none of the fires are considered suspicious, all three remain under investigation.