Wildfires Rage in Southeast Georgia, Evacuations Urged

Sat Apr 25 2026 20:43:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

As wildfires continue to spread in southeastern Georgia, officials are urging residents to heed evacuation orders as strong winds threaten to exacerbate the situation. The Highway 82 Fire has already claimed 87 homes, marking a historic loss for the state.

Two wildfires in southeastern Georgia pose a grave threat to local communities. The Highway 82 Fire, ignited by a foil balloon hitting power lines, has destroyed over 87 homes while a secondary fire fueled by welding sparks has also spread significantly. Both fires are currently only 10% contained as firefighters tackle the flames under challenging conditions. Evacuations are ongoing as officials warn residents to be prepared for rapid fire movements due to impending winds.

NAHUNTA, Ga. — Two wildfires in southeastern Georgia escalated this weekend, leading to evacuation orders as officials predict strong winds will help spread the flames. Brantley County Manager Joey Cason referred to the situation as 'dynamic,' urging residents to evacuate if directed.

'This fire is going to move rapidly, once these winds get here later today,' Cason stated in a social media post Saturday morning.

The ongoing Highway 82 Fire has been raging since Monday, destroying at least 87 homes—the most for a single wildfire in Georgia's recorded history. The fire started when a foil balloon came into contact with live power lines, creating an electrical arc that sparked a blaze. As of Saturday morning, the fire's perimeter has expanded to more than 14.8 square miles but remains only about 10% contained.

Another fire approximately 70 miles southwest, attributed to sparks from a welding operation, has consumed over 46.9 square miles and destroyed at least 35 homes. This blaze also remains under 10% containment.

Over 150 additional wildfires have been reported across Georgia and Florida, creating a smoky haze and prompting air quality alerts in various cities. Experts attribute this unusually high incidence of wildfires to extreme drought conditions and remnants of climate change, including climates affected by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

In a tragic incident, a volunteer firefighter in northern Florida perished while managing a brush fire, highlighting the dangers emergency responders face. Fortunately, there have been no reports of firefighter fatalities or significant injuries in Georgia.