A massive wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia has destroyed 47 homes and burned over 5,000 acres. Mandatory evacuations are in effect. Gov. Kemp declares State of Emergency. Latest updates here.
A fast-moving and destructive wildfire tearing through Brantley County, Georgia has exploded to over 5,000 acres as of Wednesday, April 22, 2026, destroying at least 47 homes and structures and forcing hundreds of residents to flee their neighborhoods under mandatory evacuation orders. The fire, burning along the Highway 82 corridor near Waynesville in southeast Georgia, is only 10% contained as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. Governor Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency for 91 counties across the southern half of Georgia as firefighters continue battling the blaze around the clock.
The wildfire ignited on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, as a relatively small pocket of flames that forestry crews believed was nearly under control. However, conditions changed dramatically within minutes. Brantley County Manager Joey Cason described the rapid and shocking escalation. “Yesterday morning, we had 700 acres burned,” Cason said. “It burned over 4,000 acres in a matter of hours as soon as the wind picked up.” By Wednesday morning, the fire had surpassed 5,000 acres, having grown from just 600 acres at the start of Tuesday to more than 3,800 acres by Tuesday evening and continuing to spread aggressively through Wednesday. The fire dropped from 75% containment to 0% containment on Tuesday afternoon after fierce winds caused it to breach all established containment lines.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for multiple neighborhoods and roads in Brantley County, including Browntown Road from Highway 82 to Greenleaf Road. The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office is urging all residents in the affected zones to leave immediately, with special urgency directed at elderly residents, those with mobility issues, and households with pets or livestock. “Be prepared to evacuate immediately,” Sheriff Len Davis warned residents during a Wednesday noon press conference. “These winds may shift rapidly which may create unpredictable fire behavior, so just stay alert.” Emergency officials have warned that the fire could potentially jump the Satilla River if winds shift from the east, which would dramatically expand the threat zone.
The destruction has been devastating for local families. Several evacuations were carried out by EMS personnel with flames visible in residents’ own backyards. “There were literally evacuations that were taking place with people removed by our EMS service from the porch as the fire was in their backyard,” County Manager Cason said. As of Wednesday afternoon, at least 25 people had moved into emergency shelters, with officials expecting that number to grow. School closures have been issued for all Brantley County Schools on both Wednesday and Thursday, with school officials describing the situation as a “crisis.” Students from Waynesville Primary and Atkinson Elementary were evacuated Tuesday to the Brantley County Middle School gym in Nahunta as the fire threatened their campuses.
Georgia’s State Forester has issued a mandatory burn ban — the first of its kind in state history — covering 91 counties in the lower half of Georgia, effective immediately for 30 days. Smoke from the Brantley County fire, along with a separate fire burning in Clinch County, has drifted as far north as metro Atlanta, causing hazardous hazy conditions across the region. Governor Kemp stated: “With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the state’s 5-year average and continue to spread.” Around 98% of Georgia is currently in moderate to exceptional drought, making the fire environment extremely volatile and conditions difficult for containment crews.
Major road closures are in effect throughout the area. Highway 82 is closed from Nahunta to the Glynn County line. Waynesville Road to Highway 110 and Waynesville Road to Highway 259 are also closed. Residents are asked to avoid these routes entirely and to expect significant detours and travel delays. Emergency vehicles and equipment are actively operating throughout the region, and heavy smoke is reducing visibility along several routes.
Shelters are open for Brantley County residents who have been displaced. For a full list of shelter locations and updates, residents can visit the Brantley County Government Facebook page. Community members wishing to donate to those who have lost their homes are encouraged to contribute through Georgia VOAD, which is coordinating donations in partnership with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. Anyone who spots new flames outside visible fire lines is urged to call 911 immediately.
Our hearts go out to every family in Brantley County who has lost their home, their belongings, or been forced to flee at a moment’s notice. We will continue to update this post as conditions develop. Please rely only on official communications from the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Forestry Commission, and Brantley County Government for evacuation orders and safety instructions.