Suspect arrested on arson charges for allegedly causing 100-acre wildfire in Central Georgia

Wildfire

March 5th, 2025

In this photo released by the Horry County Fire Rescue, smoke is seen from fires in Horry County, S.C., on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Horry County Fire Rescue via AP)

A Central Georgia man was jailed on felony arson charges this week for allegedly starting a 108-acre wildfire.

Officers from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and Talbot County Sheriff’s Office arrested Talbot resident William Shane Harvey, 52, on Sunday near the location of the fire without incident, according to a GFC press release.

Although no injuries were reported, the blaze destroyed two outbuildings, damaged two residences and caused property damage for 11 victims.

GFC firefighters from Harris, Talbot, Muscogee, Marion, and Crawford counties, along with the Box Springs Fire Department, responded to the fire. They were assisted by the Columbus Fire Department and several local volunteer fire departments towns of Geneva, O’Neal and Talbotton. Neighbors were also credited with providing aid as well.

Arson is one of the leading causes of wildfires in Georgia, according to GFC. Harvey faces fines of up to $50,000 or up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The fire was one of hundreds that spread across the state over the weekend.

The GFC said they responded to 86 wildfires that burned over 1,550 acres of land on Friday and 137 wildfires that burned nearly 2,400 acres on Saturday. In the past week, they reported close to 500 fires that burned more than 6,000 acres.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, Georgia was “in the red” for March, meaning that significant wildfire potential has been predicted.

Statistics from the GFC also show that the number of wildfires and acres burned in Georgia has risen over the state’s five-year average. Recent fires have led to the death of one person and to a number of structure and vehicle losses.