Georgia Wildfire Doubles In Size As 10 New Fires Start

A fast-moving wildfire in southern Georgia has doubled in size over the weekend, destroying at least 90 homes and prompting new mandatory evacuations, according to local officials. The Highway 82 fire, which began near Nahunta in Brantley County on April 20, has spread aggressively due to extreme drought and leftover debris from Hurricane Helene, burning more than 22,000 acres as of Monday (April 27) and is only 6% contained, as reported by the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Firefighters from dozens of agencies, including the Georgia National Guard, are battling the blaze with help from air support like Black Hawk helicopters. Crews have been working around the clock to build firebreaks and protect homes, but the fire's rapid growth and shifting winds have made containment difficult. The cause of the wildfire was identified as a balloon from a child’s birthday party that landed on a power line, sparking an electrical blaze on the dry ground below, according to officials.

At least 200 residents have been evacuated from Brantley County, with mandatory orders extended to parts of Wayne and Glynn counties. A curfew is in effect nightly from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in affected areas to keep roads clear for emergency crews. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter in Brunswick, and special accommodations have been arranged for pets and large animals through the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

This wildfire is now considered the most destructive in Georgia’s history, with Governor Brian Kemp noting that never before have so many homes been lost to fire in the state. Nearly 150 other wildfires are burning across Georgia and northern Florida, with at least 31 new blazes reported last Thursday (April 23) alone.

Air quality warnings are in place for several cities as smoke and haze move into new communities. Officials say that several inches of rain are needed to fully extinguish the fire, but warn that thunderstorms could bring both relief and the risk of new lightning-sparked blazes.

Brantley County schools remain closed, and many local businesses have been evacuated or destroyed. Residents are urged to follow all evacuation orders and avoid outdoor burning due to extreme fire danger. Firefighters continue to fight the blaze and monitor weather shifts that could impact containment efforts in the coming days.