Updated 5:31 p.m.
The top two "most dangerous" fires currently in the U.S. are blazing through two south Georgia counties, Gov. Brian Kemp said at a news conference Friday.
Additionally, new details reveal what started the two wildfires that are charring land and structures in Brantley and Clinch counties. Officials said the fires have resulted in more home loss than any others in Georgia's history.
Kemp said national fires are measured so federal officials know where to allocate resources, and the wildfires in Brantley and Clinch counties rank first and second among all others across the nation.
"We've got two of the most dangerous, biggest, problematic fires anywhere in the United States," Kemp said.
The governor said the two fires have resulted in the most homes being lost in Georgia's history.
More than 100 homes have been dismantled since several wildfires erupted early this week in Georgia, Kemp said.
He shared a story during which Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo told him he has had to pull crews off of the front line for safety precaution - a first for the agency.
"Unfortunately, we believe that fire activity's going to remain extremely high throughout the weekend, and really, we need a change in the weather," he said, adding prayer is needed for rain.
There have been no reported fatalities, Kemp said.
"Thank the good Lord for that," he said.
Fire crews in Georgia have battled more than 800 wildfires spreading 43,507 acres in the last 30 days, surpassing the state's five-year average, Sabo said.
The GFC has reported responding to more than 60 new wildfires between Wednesday and Thursday.
"The Brantley County is the most significant home loss we have ever experienced in the state from a single wildfire," Sabo said.
This is amid what weather officials have called the worst long-term drought since 2012.
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"We know families have already been impacted, and our thoughts are with those who have lost homes and property. We are incredibly grateful to the firefighters and first responders working around the clock in these challenging conditions, and to our local, state and federal partners, as well as communities across Georgia, for their continued support. Every call, every acre, and every response matters — and so does prevention," the GFC said in its latest update.
Sabo said while his team has prepared for the wildfire season, "there's no way to predict where a fire's going to start."
A local police department is stepping up to support these firefighters by collecting donations that will be distributed to first responders in south Georgia.
Meanwhile, Kemp showed his own gratitude for the first responders in a Facebook post published Friday.
"Grateful for the bravery and expertise of the crews battling the fires on the ground and from the sky," Kemp said, alongside a video appearing to show plane attacks on a plume of smoke over a house. "While weather conditions play a major role in the spread of these fires, all Georgians can do their part to prevent any further fires as we work towards containment."
Kemp and other state officials on Friday toured damage from the Brantley County fire.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected from this disaster. GEMA/HS will continue to coordinate with our local and state partners to ensure that resources are available when needed. Praying for rain," read a Facebook post from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency on Friday.
A state of emergency was ordered Wednesday in addition to the GFC's mandatory burn ban for 91 counties. Both are in effect for 30 days.
A severe drought is the source of the threatening wildfires, which also burns in neighboring Florida, according to multiple officials in Georgia and media reports.
The GFC previously said 98 percent of the state experienced a moderate to exceptional drought. Current wildfires have surpassed the five-year average, according to the agency.
Since then, the National Weather Service has extended the list of areas in the exceptional drought zone. Some areas were placed under the extreme drought level.
The impending rainfall will not be enough to curtail the drought, according to the NWS.
"Even if we receive an inch of rain, these fires aren't anywhere close to being out," Sabo said.
He added it will take about 8-10 inches before crews "can walk away from these fires. We have a very long way to go. Wildfire forecast is for us to be less than average rainfall until July, so we're going to be here for a while."
The GFC's interactive map was heavily decorated with icons pinpointing wildfire locations, largely in south and coastal Georgia. Most appeared to be controlled or mopped.
Georgia is sharing resources alongside neighbors Florida and Alabama, which he said are facing similar conditions.
A fire burned through 6 acres of land Thursday afternoon in Bartow County, WANF-TV reported. The area was near Acworth's Brandy Lane.
The flames were fully contained after a couple of days, fire officials told the news outlet.
Bartow is currently under a burn ban, including Adairsville, Emerson, Euharlee, Kingston, Taylorsville and White.
The ban is in place until April 30, and then, the yearly summer burn ban will take effect on May 1.
Two fires have been persistent in Brantley and Clinch counties, which are both under an exceptional drought level.
"Exceptional is as bad it gets," Sabo said. "There is no number higher than that."
There were risks for residential properties, outbuildings, commercial infrastructure, railroad lines, hunting camps and bee operations in both counties.
Kemp said between the two fires, nearly 39,000 acres have been burned. Federal assistance grants have been approved for both counties.
At Pineland Road in Clinch, a fire tore through about 31,307 acres and was at 10 percent containment Thursday.
More than 190 personnel are tending to the Pineland flames.
Kemp said 35 homes have been lost, and more than 160 homes "are in harm's way" due to the blaze.
It burst on Saturday due to a stray spark that fell on the forest floor during a welding operation, igniting surrounding vegetation, the GFC said in an update.
Mandatory evacuations were previously ordered, including in neighboring Echols County.
Shelters have been opened for evacuees, and the air quality remained unhealthy.
Nearly 140 personnel were tending to the fire, the GFC said.
Officials asked people to stay clear of the area to avoid congestion and to allow first responders to work.
The Highway 82 blaze in Brantley scorched through more than 7,500 acres and was 15 percent contained as of Friday, Kemp said.
The GFC said the fire sparked Monday due to a mylar balloon that landed on a power line, leading to an electrical arc that ignited nearby vegetation.
The Brantley County Sheriff's Office on Friday said a curfew will begin from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. for residents in the impacted area.
The Southern Area Complex Incident Management Team 1 (Red Team) is overseeing operations for the GFC, the sheriff's office said.
Highways 82 and 110 were shut down, and several other roads are currently closed.
Eighty-seven homes have been lost, and the fire posed a threat to about 800 more homes, the GFC said in an update.
The commission noted swamps, as well as "heavy southern rough fuels," hinders access for responding crews.
Authorities on Friday said 59 fire departments from throughout Georgia are responding to the fire in Brantley.
"Fire activity is expected to remain active to extreme, with continued spread over the next several days," the GFC said.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation and the Georgia National Guard are among several agencies offering response assistance.
The Georgia Department of Human Services and the American Red Cross are assisting children, GEMA/HS Director Josh Lamb said. He added the Georgia Department of Corrections provided inmate firefighting teams.
"This is a coordinated effort between state and local partners," Sabo said. "... I've never seen anything like it in 22 years of fighting wild-land fire. ... I understand there is a desire to help, but these are extreme conditions."
To provide aid for first responders tending to these dangerous fires, the Cumming Police Department is gathering donations that will be distributed in south Georgia.
The local police department is asking for the following items:
Donations will be accepted starting at 1 p.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Wednesday. Officers plan to drop off the donations the next day.
The collection site is the new Cumming Police station at City Center, 481 Merchant Way.
The GFC released a statement in response to the community support. It read, in part:
"The support from local communities has been overwhelming in the best way, and we are deeply thankful for the generosity shown to those responding to the fires. ... Your support truly makes a difference. Thank you for standing with us."
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