GEORGIA — The Georgia Forestry Commission issued its first mandatory burn ban in state history on Wednesday.
Wildfires are burning across parts of southeast Georgia and northeast Florida, destroying dozens of homes and buildings. There have also been road closures and evacuations throughout the region.
The mandatory ban on outdoor burning is in effect immediately for 91 counties in the lower half of the state, due to worsening drought conditions and rising wildfire activity.
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“My office and I are working closely with the Georgia Forestry Commission to respond to the increasing threat of wildfires in South Georgia,“ Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on X. ”If you are in a directly affected area, please adhere to guidance from your local officials to keep you and your family safe.”
The ban covers counties from Harris County to Columbia County and south to the Florida line. It will remain in place for at least 30 days Forestry Commission officials said.
On top of the burn ban, Gov. Brian Kemp also issued a state of emergency for 91 counties being impacted by the fires.
“With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the state’s 5-year average and continue to spread,” Kemp said. “We are praying for the families who have lost their homes in these devastating conditions, as well as for the first responders working around the clock.”
Around 98% of Georgia is in moderate to exceptional drought, and wildfires in the state are already above the 5-year average.
The state’s largest wildfire is in Clinch County. The Pineland Road Fire is only 10% contained with over 16,000 acres burning as of Wednesday.
Another large blaze is in Brantley County along Highway 82. Brantley County Manager Joey Cason said the fire is around 10% contained Wednesday evening.
He earlier told Channel 2’s sister station WJAX that the wildfire had grown to over 5,000 acres as of Wednesday morning. It was 3,800 acres Tuesday.
Smoke from the wildfires burning in far south Georgia has made it into north Georgia with a hazy sky developing.
“Light southerly wind and a stable lower atmosphere is trapping smoke close to the ground, reducing visibility. The smoky haze should improve later this morning as temperatures warm up and it disperses over a deeper layer of the atmosphere,” Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan says.
The Georgia Forestry Commission’s website has an interactive map of the wildfire conditions. CLICK HERE to view it.
[RELATED: Wildfire risk: How to track, prepare if flames get near]
Southeast Georgia
Brantley County
- Highway 82 Fire - Over 5,000 acres, 10% contained
- Brantley County schools are canceled Wednesday
Mandatory Evacuation:
- GA-110 (Yellow Pine Rd) to Thrower Rd
- Happy Hollow
- Drury Ln & Drury Ct
- Coffee County Club Rd
- From Thrower Rd to Mossy Oak
Road Closures:
Brantley County Government released the following affected areas and road closures due to active fire conditions and ongoing emergency response:
- Highway 82 from Nahunta to Post Road
- Highway 110 West – at Highway 32 down to the Camden County line
- Highway 259 – from Highway 82 to the Camden County line
- Highway 32 – from Highway 110 to Post Road
Free meals
Twin Rivers Baptist Church, located at 17394 U.S. 301 N. in Hortense, began serving food at 6 p.m. and will serve until it runs out.
Clinch County
- Pineland Road Fire - 16,616 acres, 10% contained.
Georgia Forestry Commission - What you need to do:
- Do NOT burn outdoors.
- Follow all local guidance and restrictions.
- Be extremely cautious with anything that could create a spark.
- Our firefighters are responding to a near-record number of wildfires. We need everyone’s help to prevent the next one.
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