Drought-induced wildfires occur across Georgia, Florida
Drought-driven wildfires in Georgia and Florida have burned thousands of acres, forcing evacuations, road closures and burning bans.
Editor’s note: Wildfires continue to burn in Georgia and Florida on Thursday, April 23rd. See the latest map.
Firefighters are battling wildfires in two southeastern states, and authorities in one state have issued the first-ever burn ban, authorities announced on April 22.
Wildfires caused by an “extreme drought” are burning in parts of southern Georgia and northeast Florida, forcing road closures and destroying homes and buildings in their path, officials said.
In Georgia, burning bans are in place in more than half of the state’s 159 counties, according to a report from the state Forestry Commission. At the same time, burning bans were implemented in more than 40 counties in the Sunshine State, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp wrote on April 21, “My office and I are working closely with the Georgia Forestry Commission to respond to the growing wildfire threat in South Georgia. If you are in the directly affected area, please follow the guidance of local officials to keep you and your family safe.”
The open burning ban prohibits the outdoor burning of trash, garden debris, agricultural materials, etc. from the disaster-stricken areas. Campfires, fireworks, and barrels are also prohibited.
The commission reported that this is the first time in the agency’s history that a mandatory ban on outdoor bonfires has been issued.
The Georgia Forestry Commission said the ban includes areas below Atlanta, from Harris County to Columbia County and south of Florida.
There were about six wildfires burning in the Peach State as of April 22, according to data from USA TODAY.
The Pineland Road Fire, discovered April 18 in Clinch County, about 13 miles northwest of Fargo, also continues to burn. As of early afternoon on April 22, the fire had grown to nearly 9,000 acres and was 10% contained.
Where are wildfires burning in Georgia? See the map.
The Georgia Forestry Commission reported that 98% of Georgia’s total area is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, and the number of wildfires across the state is currently above Georgia’s five-year average.
The Georgia Forestry Commission said rain is unlikely in most of the affected areas in the coming days.
“Extreme drought conditions across Georgia are putting agriculture and forestry at significant risk,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper said in a news release. “We strongly encourage all Georgians to do the right thing and abide by the Georgia Forestry Commission’s burning ban while these conditions persist.”
Where are wildfires burning in Florida? See the map.
At the same time, 135 wildfires were burning in Florida, burning about 21,000 acres, the USA TODAY Network’s Tallahassee Democrat reported.
Roads in Franklin and Levy counties remained closed due to smoke, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Law enforcement urged drivers to be careful.
Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.
