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Major forest fires plague Brantley and Clinch counties

With exceedingly dry conditions across the state, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) has been warning of high, very high or extreme fire risk for weeks. Across the state, that risk has turned into reality, as GFC has addressed dozens of fires statewide. On April 21, the GFC posted on Facebook it had responded to 46 wildfires burning about 1,100 acres statewide not including the fires in Southeast Georgia.

On April 22, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in 91 Georgia counties in response to the ongoing wildfires in South Georgia. The governor also directed the GFC and other relevant state agencies to mobilize all necessary resources to assist with active response efforts in the southern region of the state. The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, unless otherwise renewed. 

While the vast majority of the fires have been contained, two fires in Clinch and Brantley counties have developed into disasters, with thousands of acres burning, causing extensive property destruction and prompting evacuation orders. 

Most of the state is under high, very high, or extreme fire risk, according to GFC data, with the lack of rain combined with low humidity.

The Pineland Road fire in Clinch County, near its western border with Echols County, had burned 16,516 acres by 1 a.m. on April 22, nearly doubling in size from the previous day. The GFC indicated that fire, which began April 18, was 10% contained. On social media on April 20, the GFC noted that firefighting crews are actively engaged in containing the fire and asked people to stay out of the area if they did not need to be there.  The GFC noted that flying drones over or near wildfires is illegal and extremely dangerous.

In Brantley County, the U.S. Highway 82 fire had burned 3,800 acres and was 10% contained early Wednesday morning, April 22. The burned land associated with this fire more than doubled overnight. The fire had already destroyed dozens of homes, and portions of Brantley County were under mandatory evacuation orders.

In response to a social media request from the Brantley County Sheriff’s office, Georgia Farm Bureau has begun organizing efforts to support firefighters. GFB District 10 Federation Manager Kane Staines is working to set up drop-off points to accept donations of drinks, snacks and dry socks for the firefighters. If you wish to support this effort, contact Staines at kmstaines@gfb.org.

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