ATLANTA — As wildfires rage across south Georgia, the American Red Cross has opened a third shelter in Jesup, roughly 30 miles north of the Highway 82 fire in Brantley County.
Two other shelters – one in Brunswick and one in Lake Park, southeast of Valdosta – are also in operation.
Channel 2’s Bryan Mims was live in northeast Atlanta at Red Cross headquarters for WSB Tonight at 11 p.m.
“We’re the only ones that do what we do,” said Maria Center, executive director of the American Red Cross of Southeast Georgia. “We provide that immediate assistance in the aftermath of disasters, whether that’s a home fire or whether it’s a wildfire.”
The Georgia Forestry Commission responded to 15 new fires on Sunday.
This comes as the Pineland Fire grew to 32,003 acres, 10% contained. The Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County is estimated at 20,933 acres and 7% contained.
Officials say the wildfire have destroyed more than 120 homes – 87 in Brantley County and 35 in Clinch County. Center said on Saturday, 22 people and four pets were at the Brunswick shelter.
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The shelters provide hot meals, beds, assistance in replacing medications left behind, and mental health counseling.
“You can imagine a traumatic situation like having to leave your house urgently, being evacuated because of a wildfire,” said Center. “That’s very stressful, so we have trained, licensed professionals who can work with our clients.”
The shelters also have staff who can provide guidance with the daunting task of recovering from disaster.
“They may not have a home to go back to. You have to start from zero,” she said. “Where do you even start? So we help people rebuild their lives that way.”
Among the evacuees of the wildfires are 19 puppies whose shelter in Blackshear was destroyed. The Atlanta Humane Society rescued the pups, ranging in age from eight months to three years old, and drove them to its crisis response center in Marietta.
Once they’re medically cleared, they will be available for adoption.
Center, whose called home south Georgia home for years, said the wildfires have gripped her heart like few other disasters.
“I was close to the fires yesterday when I was in Brantley County, and it was shocking to see the smoke, to see the burned trees on the side of the road,” she said. “There was an acrid smell of smoke. And my heart goes out to all the firefighters.”
To assist the Red Cross in its disaster relief efforts, you can make a monetary donation at redcross.org. That money provides support for shelters like the ones in south Georgia.
“All are welcome,” Center said.
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