A wildfire in Brantley County that began near U.S. Highway 82 close to the Glynn County line has grown to roughly 4,000 acres, with some estimates pushing closer to 5,000, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. What started Monday as a fire of 600 to 700 acres with containment around 75% had, by early Wednesday, fallen to roughly 10% contained.
The reversal happened fast. Conditions deteriorated sharply on Tuesday as the fire jumped U.S. Highway 82 and pushed into residential neighborhoods. Dozens of homes and several businesses have been destroyed.
Evacuations and emergency shelters
Evacuation orders have been issued for more than a dozen neighborhoods, including communities in Atkinson and Waynesville. Shelters and relief stations opened across the area at churches and the local library to support displaced residents. An incident command post was established at the Brantley County Airport as firefighters from multiple agencies work to slow the fire’s advance.
Extreme to exceptional drought conditions across the region are making containment harder. The National Weather Service flagged elevated fire danger across inland southeast Georgia and northeast Florida on Wednesday, citing critically low humidity and ongoing drought as the primary drivers.
The Georgia Forestry Commission reported that it responded to 46 new fires on Tuesday alone, burning more than 1,000 acres in a single day. Across the last seven days, the commission has tracked 99 wildfires burning nearly 22,000 acres statewide.
The Pineland Road fire in Clinch County
The largest active wildfire in the state is burning in Clinch County. The Pineland Road fire, which started April 18, had grown to approximately 16,500 acres by Wednesday morning and remained just 10% contained. Homerville’s fire department described it as a difficult and relentless blaze, with crews from multiple surrounding counties working to protect threatened homes.
The city of Homerville has issued its own burn ban. Georgia’s annual statewide burn ban does not take effect until May 1, though local prohibitions on outdoor burning and fireworks are already in place across affected areas.
A separate wildfire in Appling County was also active Tuesday, with local fire crews urging residents to avoid outdoor burning entirely. Officials there warned that drought conditions mean even a small spark can grow into something much larger within minutes.
Smoke reaches metro Atlanta
Smoke from the Brantley County and Clinch County fires has drifted well beyond south Georgia. By Wednesday morning, a visible haze and noticeable burn smell had settled over metro Atlanta, including areas like Decatur and Midtown.
Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency advised residents that smoky conditions would persist throughout the day. Those sensitive to smoke were told to limit time outdoors, keep windows closed, and set air conditioning units to recirculation mode.
Officials also warned that smoke near active fire zones could significantly reduce road visibility and urged drivers to use caution on affected routes.
State response
Governor Brian Kemp confirmed his office is working closely with the Georgia Forestry Commission to address the escalating wildfire situation. He urged residents in directly affected areas to follow guidance from local officials.
Lt. Governor Burt Jones echoed that message, expressing support for first responders and forestry crews battling the fires while encouraging the public to stay informed through local authorities.
The forestry commission advises residents to stay away from active fire areas, use caution on smoky roadways, and avoid flying drones near fires, which is prohibited by law. Anyone in the path of these fires is encouraged to monitor updates from local emergency management agencies as wildfire conditions continue to change.
