(The Center Square) – Officials in Clinch and Brantley counties are closing roads and ordering evacuations after wildfires spread over the past 24 hours, fueled by Georgia’s severe drought conditions and low humidity.
No injuries were reported as of Wednesday morning.
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for 91 South Georgia counties.
“With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the state’s 5-year average and continue to spread,” Kemp said. “My team and I are working closely with Georgia State Forester Johnny Sabo and his team, along with federal, state, and local officials, to ensure we are doing everything possible to combat the fires and provide assistance to affected communities.”
The Georgia Forestry Commission’s Fire Response Map shows a 16,516-acre fire in Clinch County that is 10% contained. Another Clinch County fire encompassing 200 acres has 0% containment, according to the map.
A 3,800-acre fire in Brantley County is 10% contained, according to the map.
National Guard Troops and air assets are being sent to the area, according to Kemp’s office.
The Forestry Commission issued a burn ban that is in effect for 91 Georgia counties through May 22.
“We need everyone to take this situation seriously,” said Georgia State Forester and Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo in a release. “GFC’s wildland firefighters are responding daily to a near-record number of wildfires. It’s critical to remember that just one spark or ember can ignite a life-threatening wildfire.”
The Jacksonville office of the National Weather Service issued another fire danger alert early Wednesday morning for portions of Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida due to an ongoing drought and low humidity.
Ninety-eight percent of Georgia’s lands are under moderate to severe drought conditions, according to the Forestry Commission.
“The extreme drought conditions across Georgia are putting agriculture and forestry at significant risk, and I want to strongly encourage all Georgians to do the right thing and adhere to the Georgia Forestry Commission’s burn ban while these conditions persist,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper.
The National Weather Service predicts no or very little rain in the next few days.
