State Of Emergency Declared For 91 GA Counties Due To Raging Wildfires

Updated at 1:50 p.m.

Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday issued a state of emergency as massive wildfires damage homes, rip through a large portion of Georgia and brings smoke and haze to metro Atlanta.

The state of emergency was ordered in addition to the Georgia Forestry Commission's mandatory burn ban, a first for the agency, for 91 counties. Both are in effect for 30 days. (See map below.)

"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," Kemp said in a news release. "We are praying for the families who have lost their homes in these devastating conditions, as well as for the first responders working around the clock."

Under the state of emergency, the Georgia Department of Defense can deploy Georgia National Guard troops and resources for response and recovery efforts. Kemp's office said guardsmen are being sent to impacted areas.

The order also hinders price gouging, according to the governor.

Drought Leads To Wildfires

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 said 98 percent of the state is experiencing a moderate to exceptional drought. Current wildfires have surpassed the five-year average, according to the agency.

“Just one spark or ember can ignite a life-threatening wildfire," Georgia State Forester Johnny Sabo said.

The wildfires spanned at least 27,000 acres in south Georgia, forcing the evacuation of several communities, the Georgia Forestry Association reported Wednesday.

“This is a serious and evolving situation,” GFA President and CEO Tim Lowrimore said. “Our thoughts are with the wildland firefighters, families, businesses and communities being impacted. We urge all Georgians to remain vigilant. Preventing additional fires right now is critical as responders work to manage this emergency.”

Mandatory Burn Ban

The historic burn ban is effective immediately. It stretches from Harris County to Columbia County and south to the Florida line, officials said.

Residents are not allowed to conduct prescribed burns or agricultural burns, and burning yard debris is also not permitted, according to officials.

The GFC's interactive map was heavily decorated with icons pinpointing wildfire locations, largely in south and coastal Georgia. Most appeared to be controlled.

"Our firefighters are responding to a near-record number of wildfires. We need everyone’s help to prevent the next one," the GFC said.

The ban comes amid the national observance of Earth Day, which promotes environmental protection.

'They Had No Idea That This Was Going To Happen'

Videos and images continue to circulate social media, showing high flames and smoke billowing into the air.

In hard-hit Brantley County, 47 homes were destroyed in the wildfires Tuesday, Brantley County Manager Joey Cason told media reporters.

“When they left yesterday to go to work, they had no idea that this was going to happen,” Cason told Florida-based News4Jax. “Forestry had it almost under control.”

However, winds aided the controlled flames in quickly transforming into a major wildfire - leading to evacuations, Cason told the news outlet.

Brantley County E-911 on Tuesday reported the mandatory evacuation of Yellow Pine to Thrower roads, Happy Hollow, Drury Lane and Drury Court, Coffee County Club Road and areas from Thrower Road to Mossy Oak.

"𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐖 if you are in the affected areas. Do not delay," the department wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday.

One video appears to show flames elongating through Brantley.

There have been several road and school closures in the county.

Smoke Blows Into Metro Atlanta, Other Parts Of GA

Southerly winds are to blame for wildfire smoke shifting northward from south Georgia and Florida's Big Bend, according to the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.

Warm and dry conditions are expected through Friday in the Southeast. During this time, the NWS reported central and some northern areas can anticipate "hazy conditions and a smoky smell."

While there have not been reports of bursting flames in metro Atlanta, at least one local city has reported smoke creeping into town.

In Loganville, city officials on Wednesday said they have received reports of low-hanging smoke blanketing parts of the area. These conditions have expanded from Loganville to Monroe and beyond.

The smoke hails from fires burning throughout the state, and officials said the GFC allowed a 60-acre prescribed fire on McGarity Road near Social Circle.

"Persons with breathing problems are advised to remain indoors with windows and doors closed until the smoke dissipates," city officials said.

WAGA-TV's Alex Forbes reported seeing smoke in Midtown on Wednesday morning.

"Notice you can just barely see Downtown in the distance," Forbes wrote alongside a photo of the area.

There was not an active threat with the approaching haze, Atlanta Fire Rescue said.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety spent Tuesday night into Wednesday morning assisting agencies with wildfires in Echols County.

"We are grateful for the teamwork shown by all agencies involved and for the first responders working through the night to help protect lives, homes and property. Our thoughts are with the residents and families impacted by these fires. Please continue to stay alert, follow any road closure or evacuation guidance and avoid affected areas unless absolutely necessary. Thank you to everyone working together to keep our communities safe," the DPS said.

Crews in Lowndes County fought multiple fires Wednesday morning, which emergency management officials said were quickly extinguished.

"However, these fires should not be happening. We are asking, and frankly begging, residents to STOP BURNING! Anyone caught burning in the unincorporated areas of Lowndes County will be ticketed," Lowndes emergency management officials said.

With extreme drought conditions in place, outdoor burning can quickly get out of control and put lives, property, and our firefighters at risk. ... Right now the message is simple: don’t burn and pray for some much needed rain!"

Lowndes has temporarily implemented burn restrictions.

Response From GA Leaders

The response to the wildfires includes use of a federal incident management team and the approval of Fire Management Assistance Grant declarations in Clinch, Echols and Brantley counties, Kemp said.

Other assisting agencies are the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Kemp asked residents to take heed to their local guidance in efforts to keep them and their families safe.

"We're asking all Georgians to do your part in preventing the spread of wildfires as response teams work around the clock to contain those currently blazing," he said Wednesday.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr echoed Kemp's sentiment and said his office is ready to to support anyone who is impacted by the wildfires.

Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, released a brief statement on X. It read in part:

"Praying for firefighters and their safety to contain and stop current wildfires."