Wildfire in Georgia, April 20 to 30, 2026

On April 20, 2026 at 4 PM EDT, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported a wildfire developed along Highway 82 near Atkinson, GA. The Highway 82 fire was caused by a Mylar balloon coming into contact with a power line, creating an electrical arc that ignited the surrounding vegetation. This wildfire resulted in the worst home loss from a single fire in Georgia history, with 110 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged. At 7 PM EDT, a voluntary evacuation was requested for those North of Hwy 82 to the East and West of Hwy 110 and was then extended northward up GA-110. On April 21st at 5 AM, the fire was 700 acres and 75% contained per the GFC. Portions of Highway 82 were closed due to heavy smoke from the active flames. Winds shifted from southerly to easterly through the day causing the fire to go from spreading north to then spreading westward. At 1 PM, a Mandatory Evacuation for Browntown Rd, Hawks Landing Neighborhood, Warners Landing, Oaks Woodlands, Atkinson Road, Godberry Lane, Brushing Creek, Fort Mcintosh to Highway 520 on both sides of the road was issued by Brantley County Emergency Management Agency. Brantley County Sheriff’s Office and Glynn County Sheriff’s Office also closed the road at Hwy 82 from Nahunta to Post Road, GA-110 at Highway 32 down to the Camden County line, Hwy 259 from Highway 82 to the Camden County line, and Hwy 32 from Highway 110 to Post Road. Mandatory evacuations continued into the evening and were issued for Happy Hollow, Drury Ln, Drury Ct, Coffee County Club Rd and From Thrower Rd to Mossy Oak as the fire grew quickly to 5,000 acres. The County Manager for Brantley County reported that at least 42 structures were burned due to the Highway 82 Wildfire. On April 22nd, mandatory evacuations continued for Browntown Road from Greenleaf Rd to Hwy 32. On April 23rd, Brantley County Sheriff's Office stated that the wildfire was estimated to be roughly 5,000 acres with 15% containment. The combination of heavy smoke and dust significantly reduced visibility for first responders, creating an extremely dangerous situation for both the public and emergency personnel. Mandatory Evacuations were then issued for the area of Hwy 110 from Hwy 32 to Lane Cemetery Rd to include from Lisa Ln to the Satilla River. On April 24th, the fire was 7,566 acres per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). At 1PM, Georgia DOT closed SR 32 from Hortense to SR 99 due to fire and heavy smoke in Brantley County. On April 25th, the fire grew to 9,578 acres per overnight infrared flight mapping. The winds shifted to southwesterly pushing smoke from Brantley County to Glynn County, with heavy smoke around Post Road and Highway 32. Evacuation areas were expanded to the Brantley Wayne County line due to the fire movement to the north and northeast, while evacuations and road closures on the southern portion of the fire have been lifted. Wayne County issued Mandatory Evacuations for the area from the Brantley County Line at Wire Rd to Post Rd, to Ten Mile Rd and all areas in between. The fire was 13,745 acres and 7% contained. The fire produced 150-foot flame lengths during a significant run toward Browntown Road. The blaze was a plume-dominated wildfire, a rare occurrence that happened on multiple days during the fire. On April 26th, a Mandatory Evacuation was issued for the entire community of Manningtown, off of Browntown Road by Wayne County Emergency Management. Glynn County EM also issued Mandatory Evacuations for Old Post Road to Highway 32, Highway 32 to Thalman Park Lane, Thalman Park Lane to Bladen Road and Bladen Road to Old Post Road. Infrared mapping showed the fire had doubled within 24 hours at approximately 20,933 acres with 7% containment. Without precipitation, the fire was very active again with wind driven movement to the northeast and east until the wind shifted in the afternoon with the sea breeze. At 5 PM, Wayne County EM announced the fire had crossed into Wayne county. At 8 PM, an isolated thunderstorm moved over the fire bringing rain amounts of 0.4 to 0.8 inches. This amount of rain did not extinguish the fire, but briefly decreased the extreme fire behavior. On April 27th, winds shifted to north-northeasterly which led to Glynn county downgrading evacuations and re-opening previously closed roads. On April 28th, the fire was 22,600 acres and 32% contained. On April 30th, roads from Browntown south of Murphy Road and HWY 32 were opened. The fire was 22,532 acres and 37% contained. More smoke occurred on April 30th in bay vegetation due to hot and dry conditions, extended long-term drought and lack of rain. A new fire started north of the Hwy 82 Fire in Wayne County that was approximately 40 acres.

On April 20, 2026 at 4 PM EDT, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported a wildfire developed along Highway 82 near Atkinson, GA. The Highway 82 fire was caused by a Mylar balloon coming into contact with a power line, creating an electrical arc that ignited the surrounding vegetation. This wildfire resulted in the worst home loss from a single fire in Georgia history, with 110 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged. On April 25th, the fire grew to 9,578 acres per overnight infrared flight mapping. Evacuation areas were expanded to the Brantley Wayne County line due to the fire movement to the north and northeast, while evacuations and road closures on the southern portion of the fire have been lifted. Wayne County issued Mandatory Evacuations for the area from the Brantley County Line at Wire Rd to Post Rd, to Ten Mile Rd and all areas in between. The fire was 13,745 acres and 7% contained. The fire produced 150-foot flame lengths during a significant run toward Browntown Road. The blaze was a plume-dominated wildfire, a rare occurrence that happened on multiple days during the fire. On April 26th, a Mandatory Evacuation was issued for the entire community of Manningtown, off of Browntown Road by Wayne County Emergency Management. Infrared mapping showed the fire at approximately 20,933 acres with 7% containment. Without precipitation, the fire was very active again with wind driven movement to the northeast and east until the wind shifted in the afternoon with the sea breeze. At 5 PM, Wayne County EM announced the fire had crossed into Wayne county. At 8 PM, an isolated thunderstorm moved over the fire bringing rain amounts of 0.4 to 0.8 inches. This amount of rain did not extinguish the fire, but briefly decreased the extreme fire behavior. On April 28th, the fire was 22,600 acres and 32% contained. On April 30th, roads from Browntown south of Murphy Road and HWY 32 were opened. The fire was 22,532 acres and 37% contained. More smoke occurred on April 30th in bay vegetation due to hot and dry conditions, extended long-term drought and lack of rain. A new fire started north of the Hwy 82 Fire in Wayne County that was approximately 40 acres.

On April 20, 2026 at 4 PM EDT, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported a wildfire developed along Highway 82 near Atkinson, GA. The Highway 82 fire was caused by a Mylar balloon coming into contact with a power line, creating an electrical arc that ignited the surrounding vegetation. This wildfire resulted in the worst home loss from a single fire in Georgia history, with 110 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged. On April 25th, the fire grew to 9,578 acres per overnight infrared flight mapping. The winds shifted to southwesterly pushing smoke from Brantley County to Glynn County, with heavy smoke around Post Road and Highway 32. The fire was 13,745 acres and 7% contained. The fire produced 150-foot flame lengths during a significant run toward Browntown Road. The blaze was a plume-dominated wildfire, a rare occurrence that happened on multiple days during the fire. On April 26th, Glynn County EM issued Mandatory Evacuations for Old Post Road to Highway 32, Highway 32 to Thalman Park Lane, Thalman Park Lane to Bladen Road and Bladen Road to Old Post Road. Infrared mapping showed the fire at approximately 20,933 acres with 7% containment. Without precipitation, the fire was very active again with wind driven movement to the northeast and east until the wind shifted in the afternoon with the sea breeze. At 8 PM, an isolated thunderstorm moved over the fire bringing rain amounts of 0.4 to 0.8 inches. This amount of rain did not extinguish the fire, but briefly decreased the extreme fire behavior. On April 27th, winds shifted to north-northeasterly which led to Glynn county downgrading evacuations and re-opening previously closed roads. On April 28th, the fire was 22,600 acres and 32% contained. On April 30th, roads from Browntown south of Murphy Road and HWY 32 were opened. The fire was 22,532 acres and 37% contained. More smoke occurred on April 30th in bay vegetation due to hot and dry conditions, extended long-term drought and lack of rain.