Georgia wildfires: 120 homes destroyed, nearly 1,000 threatened, Gov. Kemp says

The wildfires in south Georgia have destroyed at least 120 homes and threatens nearly 1,000 others, Gov. Brian Kemp said during a tour of the damage Friday.

Only 10-15% of the state’s largest wildfires have been contained. Nearly 39,000 acres have been burned, and the Georgia National Guard is sending more aircraft to help in the wildfire fight.

We have multiple crews in south Georgia. The latest on the containment efforts, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4:00 p.m.

A mandatory burn ban remains in effect for 91 counties in southern half of the state. But several counties in metro Atlanta and northern Georgia have issued their own county-wide burn bans.

Kemp urged everyone to adhere to the ban, as new fires will take away resources from ongoing efforts.

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CURFEW TO START FRIDAY NIGHT IN BRANTLEY COUNTY

In the latest update from Brantley County officials, they said a curfew will be put in place starting Friday at 8 p.m. for those areas being impacted by the fire.

“This curfew will be enforced by all law enforcement. It will go from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the morning. That will remain in effect until this event is under control and we basically feel comfortable and confident that we can have folks moving around in the areas where we still have active fire,” Brantley County Manager Joey Cason said.

Cason said the Brantley Fire is still about 15% contained, and they are watching conditions in case the wind changes and changes the direction of the fire.

They believe it was started by a balloon that landed on a powerline.

Started Monday, April 20
7,500 acres
15% contained
87 homes/structures lost in that fire
Over 800 homes in harm’s way right now

WILDFIRE CONTAINMENT BATTLE

The Georgia Forestry Commission responded to 31 new wildfires, burning 266 acres statewide, on Thursday. Those numbers don’t include the ongoing Pineland Road Fire and Highway 82 fire.

The Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County is now estimated at 31,307 acres with only 10% contained. Officials believe it was caused when a spark fell on the ground while someone was welding their gate.

Started April 18
35 homes lost
160 homes in harm’s way

CLICK HERE to view Georgia Forestry Commission’s interactive wildfires map

MORE EVACUATION ORDERS GIVEN

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency issued a mandatory evacuation Thursday near Nahunta for the area of Highway 110 from Highway 32 to Lane Cemetery Road to include from Lisa Lane to the Satilla River.

A voluntary evacuation was issued for the area of U.S. 301 from the county line to Rowell Road to the west of Highway 110, north to Highway 32 and east of Highway 110 to the county line.

STATE RESPONSE

Gov. Brian Kemp will survey the fire damage across south Georgia and meet with local leaders and first responders on the frontlines.

Georgia State Forester Director Johnny Sabo, GEMA Director Josh Lamb and Georgia National Guard Gen. Dwayne Wilson are among state officials also touring the damage.

The Georgia National Guard has sent four aircraft to help suppress wildfire across the southeastern part of the state. Channel 2’s Mark Winne spoke with Col. Will Cox who says even more Blackhawks will head out on Friday.

The aircraft are armed with big orange buckets to dump water on the blaze. The buckets on some of the helicopters can hold up to 2,000 gallons of water, while others are equipped with buckets that can carry about 660 gallons.

BURN BANS

The following counties in north Georgia have issued their own burn bans: