Georgia State of Emergency

Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday, 04/22 declared a state of emergency in 91 Georgia counties as wildfires continued burning across South Georgia amid extreme drought conditions.

The order takes effect for 30 days unless renewed and authorizes state agencies to deploy personnel and equipment to support firefighting and recovery efforts. Kemp also said the Georgia Forestry Commission and other agencies have been directed to use all necessary resources in the response.

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Credit: Savannah Fire Department Facebook Page

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According to the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office’s FB Page:

Highway 82 Fire Morning Update

Tuesday May 5, 2026

10:30 a.m.

Email: 2026.Hwy82@firenet.gov

Fire Information Phone: 912-612-7449: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Brantley County Evacuation and Road Closures: 912-674-0195

Social Media: @Hwy82Fire

Overview: The Highway 82 fire is located in Brantley County, Georgia and is impacting the communities of Atkinson and Waynesville. The fire began on Monday April 20th. The entire state of Georgia is in a drought with Brantley County being in an exceptional drought. Due to drought conditions and hot and dry weather, this fire continues to be a dynamic, changing situation, challenging firefighting efforts.

The fire is estimated at 22,471 acres and 85% contained.

Operations: South of Highway 82, crews will continue to patrol containment lines and extinguish any heat that appears throughout the day. East of Browntown Road along Boots Harrison Road, crews are improving containment lines and continuing mop up around structures. North of Highway 32, crews continue mop up of the deep organic soils and dozer berms using machinery and improving and repairing contingency lines. Further north on Browntown Road moving west to Fendig Road, work continues with timber companies to harvest marketable timber and improve a 200 foot wide fuel break as a contingency line. South of Highway 32 along State Route 110, crews will continue to patrol for any hot spots that might remain. If conditions allow, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with infrared technology will assist ground crews in finding remaining hot spots. Firefighters are assessing and repairing impacts from suppression efforts on affected residential properties and rehabilitation actions-including erosion control, hazardous debris removal, and stabilization measures-to reduce secondary damage, protect public safety, and support safe ingress and egress of residents.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures will continue to trend warmer with highs in the mid 80s. This will promote another drying day with humidity dropping to around 30%. Winds will be from a southeasterly direction, light this morning, but increasing into the 4 to 8 mph range this afternoon. A mid-afternoon sea-breeze could bring winds out of the southeast east with gusts 14 to18 mph.

Extreme drought in Southeast Georgia over the last several months has dried both the live and dead fuels. In the interior of the fire, seasonally wet areas or bays will continue to smoke as heat remains deep in the organic soil. As leaves and needles continue to fall there will be reburn potential and some isolated tree torching, can be expected well within the fire perimeter. This however should not pose any threat to containment lines.

Donations: For affected community members, Brantley Gas, 114 Satilla Ave, Nahunta, H & S Haulers, 125 Industrial Park, Nahunta, and Brantley County Family Connections, 10305 Main Street, Nahunta are currently accepting donations.

Safety: There is a burn ban in place for all counties in south Georgia. Although there was rain over the fire area, the entire region is still in an extended drought and all residents are asked to continue to follow the burn ban in place.

Evacuation Area: For Brantley county evacuations, visit Brantley County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page or call the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office at 912-674-0195. For evacuations in Wayne County, visit Wanye County Emergency Management Facebook and for evacuations in Glynn County, visit Glynn County Board of Commissioners Facebook Page.

Closures: Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia State Patrol are closely monitoring the smoke and fog conditions along roadways to maintain public safety along the highway. Highway 32 remains closed between Brownstown Road and State Road 110.

There is a https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_7751 (TFR) over the fire area to avoid conflict between personal aircraft and firefighting efforts. This includes all recreational and professional unmanned aircraft (drones). If you fly, we can’t.

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The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services issued an air quality alert for dozens of counties due to ongoing wildfires in south Georgia. State health officials are urging people with respiratory conditions to limit time outdoors or move activities inside if smoke is visible or noticeable.

Want to see how safe the air quality is where you are? Click here.

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GEORGIA RED CROSS

Here are some tips to keep in mind. Wildfires can spread quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety.

Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and leave if you are told to do so.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts, expert advice in English and Spanish and available disaster shelter and support locations.

BRANTLEY COUNTY FIRE RESPONSE

Items currently needed by First Responders: Eye drops, nasal spray, ibuprofen, Tylenol, wet wipes, ChapStick, IV Packets, water flavor packets, Vaseline, baby powder, Personal Hygiene items (deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste), toilet paper, soap, shampoo, SOCKS.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS (last updated 4/23/26)

NAHUNTA:

Southside Nahunta is collecting items for families that have lost their homes.

Brantley Co Library

Brantley Co Track- will have an event on Saturday- you are asked to bring a table and tent to set up for families in need of items. New clothes, hygiene items, laundry detergent, pet supplies, shoes, etc.

HOBOKEN:

J&D Equipment, 13842 Hwy 121, had a drive-thru drop site for items for First Responders

Hoboken Fire Dept (across from city hall)

Hoboken City Hall 8-5 accepting items for families

PATTERSON:

Fire Station, 6440 US Hwy 84, Patterson

BLACKSHEAR:

Blackshear Church of God had an Outreach trailer parked under the breezeway, where items for first responders can be dropped off

Blackshear Elementary School

Southern Sippin, 3525 US 84, drop-off for First Responders

WAYCROSS:

Sweat Memorial Church

Southside Baptist Church

Magnolia House Youth Center, 838 Evergreen Way, Waycross (912)387-1126

Department of Juvenile Justice, 1057 Grove Ave, Waycross (will deliver Friday at noon)

BRUNSWICK:

I-95 Toyota of Brunswick- accepting donations and will deliver as needed

CLINCH COUNTY FIRE RESPONSE

DROP OFF LOCATIONS:

HOMERVILLE:

Homerville Fire Station (in town next to Gazebo)

PEARSON:

Atkinson County Fire/Emergency Operation Center, 33 Austin Ave W, Pearson

LONG COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION:

Drop off locations are the Long County Public Library and the Long County Fire Department- Station 1.

RENEGADE PAWS RESCUE:

They are urgently looking for fosters to take in animals as they are assisting Brantley Animal Rescue Coalition (B.A.R.C) who are currently evacuating.

GEORGIA RED CROSS:

Red Cross Shelter is open for those displaced by the wildfires at 1309 GA-135 South in Lake Park, GA.

For assistance call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org.

GLYNN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE:

They are asking those that wish to make donations do so through Georgia VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) at www.gavoad.org.

SECOND HARVEST OF SOUTH GEORGIA is collecting handheld snacks (protein bars) and electrolyte drinks/powders for firefighters and volunteers. Items will be delivered directly to crews in the field.

Please drop off donations at SHSG Valdosta HQ between 8am – 5pm!

ATKINSON COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER is collecting donations such as Bottled Water, Protein Snacks, Electrolyte Drinks, Socks, Chapstick, Wipes, and any additional essential supplies.

Drop Off at…
33 Austin Avenue West
Pearson, GA 31642

JESUP CHURCH OF GOD is opening their location as a drop-off point to help support families and first responders impacted by the wildfires in South Georgia.

Currently collecting:
• Cases of bottled water
• Gatorades / electrolyte drinks
• Quick grab snacks (granola bars, protein snacks, etc.)
• Liquid IV / hydration packets
• Wet wipes

Every item makes a difference especially for those working long hours on the front lines and families displaced by the fires.

Drop-off location: Jesup Church of God 444 Sunset Blvd Jesup Ga, 31545

The SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT and SPRINGFIELD CITY HALL are coming together to support the brave men and women battling the devastating wildfires in South Georgia. With over 8,000 acres already burned and the fires continuing to grow, our firefighters need our help now more than ever.

Drop-Off Location:
130 S Laurel St.
Springfield, GA 31329

Every donation—big or small—makes a difference and helps support those risking their lives to protect our communities.

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