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GEORGIA (WJBF) – As the drought situation in Georgia worsens, thousands of residents are grappling with the effects of persistent wildfires that have ravaged parts of South Georgia, prompting evacuations to nearby shelters.
The Georgia Forestry Commission reported that 54 homes have sustained damage due to the fires, although, fortunately, there have been no injuries to date.
In response to the escalating crisis, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has declared a 30-day state of emergency, enacting a burn ban across 91 counties. This ban strictly prohibits all forms of outdoor burning, including yard waste and agricultural fires.
Governor Kemp announced that the state is ramping up its efforts by deploying additional resources, notably National Guard aviation teams, to aid in combating the blazes.
“To ensure we can offer all necessary state resources in this endeavor, we are now incorporating National Guard support, especially focusing on aviation,” Kemp stated. “We are also collaborating closely with the Environmental Protection Division as they prepare to issue a statewide level 1 drought notification in the upcoming days.”
Officials say wildfires have now burned more than 20,000 acres and are only 10% contained, with shifting winds continuing to challenge firefighting efforts.
Multiple agencies are now deployed across the region, including the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Georgia State Patrol.
Georgia Forestry Commission spokesperson Seth Hawkins said crews are working aggressively on the ground and in the air.
“We’re kind of throwing the kitchen sink at this thing,” Hawkins said. “We’ve got helicopters and air tankers working on these fires and adjacent fires. On the ground, crews are cutting fire breaks with bulldozers and working structure protection.”
The Georgia Forestry Commission said wildfire activity has now surpassed the five-year average, with smoke impacting air quality in several parts of the state.
Officials warn that conditions remain volatile due to a combination of drought, wind, and dry vegetation.
“Afternoon winds are expected to shift out of the southeast, which complicates firefighting efforts,” Hawkins said. “Combine low humidity, high winds, drought conditions, and hurricane debris still drying in the woods, and that’s driving this extreme fire behavior.”
As part of the emergency order, price gouging is also prohibited statewide.
The Georgia Forestry Commission is urging residents with respiratory conditions to wear N-95 masks if going outdoors.
Officials also warn that even if smoke is not visible or odorless, harmful fine particles may still be present in the air.