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.
Wildfires in Georgia and Florida continued to burn thousands of acres on April 24, destroying nearly 100 homes and threatening many more, forcing evacuations and road closures.
At least 20 large fires remain uncontained in the southern states, which are currently the most fire-prone states in the country, according to an April 23 update from the National Interagency Fire Center. On April 22nd alone, 90 new wildfires were reported in the South.
Firefighters in Georgia are working to extinguish two large fires while battling smaller fires that continue to break out. On April 23, dozens of new fires broke out. The state’s largest fire, the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County, has burned more than 31,000 acres and is 10% contained, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. The Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County has burned approximately 5,000 acres and is 15% contained.
“This remains a dynamic fire event,” Brantley County Administrator Joey Cason said Monday morning. “Once we receive a mandatory evacuation advisory, we need to evacuate as soon as possible. … Containment rates can change from 15% to 0% in minutes depending on the wind.”
Georgia has been forced to implement its first-ever burn ban. Governor Brian Kemp announced on April 24 that the Georgia National Guard would deploy Black Hawk helicopters to assist in the fire response.
The Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that at least 134 wildfires were burning in Florida on April 24, actively burning about 26,000 acres. Roads in Levy County were closed and smoke from the fire was affecting visibility in several counties, the newspaper reported. The Cow Creek Fire in Levy County burned more than 1,600 acres and threatened more than 1,200 homes.
Homes destroyed in Georgia
At least 90 homes were lost in the Highway 82 fire in Brantley County, Georgia, authorities announced April 23. At least 700 homes are at risk as firefighters try to extinguish the blaze.
Structures at risk include homes and outbuildings, commercial infrastructure, railroad tracks, hunting camps and beekeeping facilities, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. Highways 82 and 110 were both closed near the fire.
According to Brantley County officials, fire activity increased in the afternoon and evening of April 23rd.
A mandatory curfew was in place in the affected areas of the county from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., and new evacuations were ordered on April 24.
“While we work to preserve property, protecting life is our top priority,” the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Forestry Commission, and Southern Regional Incident Management Team said in a joint statement April 24.
Forecasters say drought and heat are adding fuel to the fire.
AccuWeather reports that the drought situation in the Southeast shows no signs of improving anytime soon, and conditions could persist for an extended period of time, making it difficult for firefighters to contain active fires or assist in starting new fires.
Ultimately, summer thunderstorm activity should help, but AccuWeather reports that no significant rain is expected until later this month. A few showers are possible, but the region will need widespread rain to quell the fires.
AccuWeather says smoke from the fires has traveled hundreds of miles, impacting air quality. It is also possible that daytime temperatures will drop as the smoke spreads. The USA TODAY Network’s Greenville News reported on April 24 that wildfire smoke spreading from Georgia and Florida triggered an air pollution alert in the northwestern part of the state.
“This is a dangerous and unstable fire weather pattern across the Southeast, fueled by continued drought, extreme heat, and extremely low humidity,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
