Georgia, 2026

Wildfire in Georgia, May 1 to 31, 2026

May 1 to 31, 2026 · NWS JAX · 5 events in 5 counties and zones

Extreme to exceptional drought, dry fuels, and breezy days triggered numerous wildfires in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida in April that continued through the month of May. Multiple rounds of beneficial rain fell across the wildfires in May which helped in the containment of local ongoing wildfires.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
1
Property damage
$5.5 million
Crop damage
$11 million
Events
5

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS JAX wrote it up.

Extreme to exceptional drought, dry fuels, and breezy days triggered numerous wildfires in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida in April that continued through the month of May. Multiple rounds of beneficial rain fell across the wildfires in May which helped in the containment of local ongoing wildfires.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 30, 8:11 PM EST, 3 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • For the latest NE FL and SE GA Daily Key Messages please visit: https:/www.weather.gov/media/jax/briefings/nws-jax-briefing.pdf
  • Thunderstorm Outlook Today through Saturday. Isolated Strong Storms Possible this Afternoon & Friday. Isolated Severe Storms possible Saturday. Storm Hazards: Gusty Winds, Heavy Rain. Low (< 2%) tornado risk Saturday.
  • Beneficial Rainfall Through the Weekend. Rainfall Totals of 0.5-2.0 inches, Local High End 4 inches. Highest Rainfall Totals Likely Inland SE GA
  • Moderate Risk of Rip Currents Today Through Saturday
Area forecast discussion, Apr 30, 8:11 PM EST, 3 hours 49 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
911 PM EDT Thu Apr 30 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

For the latest NE FL and SE GA Daily Key Messages please visit:
https:/www.weather.gov/media/jax/briefings/nws-jax-briefing.pdf

- Thunderstorm Outlook Today through Saturday. Isolated Strong Storms
Possible this Afternoon & Friday. Isolated Severe Storms possible
Saturday. Storm Hazards: Gusty Winds, Heavy Rain. Low (< 2%) tornado
risk Saturday.

- Beneficial Rainfall Through the Weekend. Rainfall Totals of 0.5-2.0
inches, Local High End 4 inches. Highest Rainfall Totals Likely
Inland SE GA

- Moderate Risk of Rip Currents Today Through Saturday

&&

.UPDATE...

Scattered showers are moving south of Jacksonville through Palatka
and Saint Augustine areas through the next hour and should weaken by
10-11PM with decreasing instability now after sunset with isolated
offshore showers and T'storms persisting through midnight as the
cold front moves south of I-10 this evening. A few swaths of a
half inch to an inch of rain have fallen from Osceola National
Forest south and east across Macclenny, Lawtey, to Middleburg
while some spotty quarter to half inch amounts are scattered
from downtown jacksonville to Jacksonville Beach south to Saint
Augustine and Palm Coast areas.

Included some partial clearing over SE GA north of the frontal
boundary. Patchy fog will develop overnight as partial clearing
extends into inland NE FL as mid and high level clouds thin out
with light northerly winds over SE GA turning northeasterly
into dawn while westerly winds over NE FL turn northwesterly
towards sunrise. Lows will be in the low to mid 60s over SE GA,
upper 60s along the SE GA and NE FL coast, and mid to upper 60s
over inland NE FL.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Main Highlights This Period:

-Isolated Strong/Severe Storms Possible This Afternoon and Evening

This afternoon: Numerous breaks in the cloud cover ahead of
approaching frontal boundary will continue to push temps well into
the 80s, with even a few 90F readings possible across NE FL in the
breezy West to Southwest flow around 15 mph with a few gusts to 25-
30 mph at times. This heating will provide enough sfc based CAPE to
generate scattered to numerous showers and widely scattered storms
area-wide through the afternoon and evening hours. Decent mid level
jet aloft will also enable a few strong to possible severe storms
with hail and gusty winds of 40-55 mph as they move rapidly off
towards the east and into the Atlantic waters after sunset.

Tonight: The frontal boundary will sag southward into NE FL after
midnight and stall close to the I-10 corridor by morning. Following
any evening convection, rainfall chances will remain on the lower
side as some energy aloft lifts across SE GA through the overnight
hours with widely scattered showers and a remote chance of a storm.
Overnight lows will fall into the lower 60s across SE GA behind the
frontal boundary, while milder lows in the mid/upper 60s are
expected across NE FL. Winds will diminish to near calm towards
morning and patchy fog is possible over all inland areas, but
expected abundant mid/high clouds should prevent significant dense
fog potential.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
Main Highlights This Period:

- Unsettled weather brings beneficial rain
- Isolated strong/severe storms possible Friday and Saturday

Friday, showers will be present over southeast Georgia in the early
morning, with coverage spreading southward through the day. Overall,
most activity will be showers but enough CAPE will be available for
a few thunderstorms. Highest chances for any isolated strong
thunderstorms will be generally over inland northeast Florida in the
afternoon/evening when the Gulf and Atlantic sea breezes interact.
Decent range in high temperatures Friday due to the front, with
northern inland Georgia seeing highs in the mid 70s, and north
central FL reaching the low 90s.

A stronger frontal system will move through the area Saturday,
sparking up convection near sunrise over inland southeast Georgia,
with activity moving southeasterly throughout the day into northeast
Florida. Showers and storms will taper off over southeast Georgia
Saturday evening, with convection south of the area entirely by
Sunday morning. Strong to isolated severe storms are possible on
Saturday, generally in the morning for southeast Georgia and
afternoon/evening for northeast Florida. Most of the area is
currently in a 'Marginal' risk (level 1/5) for severe storm
potential, with damaging winds as the primary hazard. However, there
will be enough shear to promote a low tornado risk as well. For
Saturday, an even larger range in highs forecast, mid 60s for Jeff
Davis county, and low 90s for Marion/Putnam/St. Johns counties.

As far as our much needed rainfall, there is a high chance of areas
along and north of I-10 receiving at least 1 inch of rain through
Sunday morning. For the same area, a medium chance of 2 inches of
rain with locally higher amounts within heavy thunderstorm
developments near 3-4 inches.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Main Highlights This Period:

- Drier, Cooler Weather Sunday and Monday

Cooler and drier conditions expected on Sunday following the cold
frontal passage, high temperatures will remain in the 70s area-wide
as skies clear up and northeasterly winds develop. A gradual warm up
will occur each day Monday through Wednesday, and by Wednesday high
temperatures will reach the low 90s over most inland locations as
winds shift southwesterly. An afternoon Atlantic sea breeze will
keep temperatures on the immediate east coast in the mid to upper
80s.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Scattered showers and isolated T'storms will continue to shift east
southeast across the Duval county Terminals to SGJ through 02-03Z
this evening with brief restrictions to MVFR visibility due to
heavier downpours and gusty winds 20-30 knots. Otherwise, the cold
front near the Florida and Georgia state line will sink into
Northeast Florida overnight. Partial clearing of mid to high level
clouds and near calm winds will create patchy fog with MVFR ceilings
prevailing over inland the Northeast Florida TAF sites from 08-12Z
while low stratus arrives north of the front to SSI after 06Z that
will bring IFR to LIFR ceilings through 16Z.

Scattered ceilings around 3.0 kft persist over Northeast Florida
sites through Friday afternoon with VCSH through midday and VCTS by
early afternoon as the front lifts northward back towards southern
GA and strong diurnal heating creates scattered showers and
T'storms. Have PROB30 groups for SSI where higher heavier showers
appear more likely Friday late afternoon. Winds turn northeasterly 6-
10 knots on Friday north of the front and along the coast with west
to southwesterly winds south of the front over GNV.

&&

.MARINE...

A cold front will move into southeast Georgia this afternoon and
then into northeast Florida late tonight. This front will then stall
across the northeast Florida waters Friday then begin to lift north
as a warm front Friday night. This front will be accompanied by
scattered showers and a few thunderstorms at times through Friday
night. A wave of low pressure will then develop over the Gulf by
late Friday night or Saturday, with widespread showers and a few
strong to severe thunderstorms overspreading the local waters on
Saturday, with activity expected to continue into Saturday night.
Small Craft Advisory conditions may develop on Saturday as southwest
winds increase. The front will shift south of the northeast Florida
waters on Saturday night, resulting in winds shifting to northerly.
Breezy northeast winds are then expected on Sunday as high pressure
builds into the southeastern states, with diminishing winds and seas
early next week as the high pressure builds over the local waters.

Rip Currents:

Moderate risk of rip currents with surf/breakers around 2 feet will
continue today and Friday. Stronger offshore flow on Saturday will
keep rip current risk low to moderate, before a stronger N-NE flow
develops Saturday Night and a high risk and rough surf is expected
on Sunday in the wake of departing low pressure system and strong
onshore flow.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
- High Daytime Dispersions Saturday

- Beneficial Rainfall Expected Into This Weekend

Scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms are expected area-wide
today and Friday as a cold front moves into the area. Breezy
southwesterly surface and transport winds will continue across north
central Florida on Friday, where high daytime dispersions are
expected. Surface and transport winds elsewhere will shift to
northeasterly, with poor to fair values for locations north of I-10.
A stronger cold front then moves through Saturday into Sunday.
Widespread showers and thunderstorms are forecast on Saturday and
Saturday night. Strong southwesterly surface and transport winds
ahead of the front will result in very high dispersions on Saturday
across northeast Florida. MinRH will drop into the upper 20-30s
Sunday and Monday for most inland areas following the frontal
passage as winds shift northeasterly.

FOG POTENTIAL AND OTHER REMARKS: Isolated strong/severe storms
possible Friday and Saturday. Smoke from nearby fires may result in
localized visibility reductions, especially during the overnight and
early morning hours.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AMG  62  77  59  72 /  20  60  70 100
SSI  67  76  65  77 /  30  60  50  90
JAX  66  84  65  83 /  20  60  30  90
SGJ  67  84  66  87 /  30  50  20  70
GNV  67  89  66  87 /  10  40  10  80
OCF  67  89  66  87 /  10  30   0  70

&&

.JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
GA...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.

Wildfire, Brantley

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 31, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Brantley forecast zone
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$3.0 million
Crop damage
$4.0 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.197, -81.982 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

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 May 1st, the fire was 22,532 acres and 45% contained. Boots Harrison Road, North of Albert Gibson Road and Highway 32 from US 301 to Highway 99 remained closed due to fire and smoke. At 7 PM, the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) reopened SR 110 to traffic in Brantley County. On May 2nd, Hwy 32 was opened from US 301 to 110w and from Post Road to Browntown Road. About an inch of rain fell on the wildfire on May 2nd which helped reduce fire activity and helped crews increase the containment to 64%. On May 3rd, evacuation orders impacting residences were lifted for Brantley county. All roads reopened except for Highway 32. The fire was 22,471 acres and 75% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). On May 4th, the fire was 22,420 acres and 85% contained. On May 7th, Hwy 32 reopened and the fire was 90% contained. Crews observed reburn within the fire interior near State Route 110 and Stewart Road, State Route 110 and Dogwood Road, and Browntown Road due to strong winds across the area. On May 9th, steady rainfall over the fire area throughout the day helped reduce fire activity across much of the incident. On May 29th, the fire was 95% contained, per the NIFC. One minor injury occurred among more than 600 personnel.

Wildfire, Wayne

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 31, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Wayne forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Crop damage
$500,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.551, -81.917 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

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 May 1st, the fire was 22,532 acres and 45% contained. On May 2nd, all voluntary evacuations were rescinded but mandatory evacuations along Mobile Road remained in place. About an inch of rain fell on the wildfire on May 2nd which helped reduce fire activity and helped crews increase the containment to 64%. On May 3rd, the fire was 22,471 acres and 75% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). On May 4th, the fire was 22,420 acres and 85% contained. On May 7th, Hwy 32 reopened and the fire was 90% contained. On May 9th, steady rainfall over the fire area throughout the day helped reduce fire activity across much of the incident. On May 11th, all evacuations were lifted for Wayne county. On May 29th, the fire was 95% contained, per the NIFC.

Wildfire, Inland Glynn

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 3, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Inland Glynn forecast zone
Crop damage
$200,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.213, -81.494 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

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 May 1st, the fire was 22,532 acres and 45% contained. All voluntary evacuations were rescinded for Glynn county. A combination of improving weather conditions and current fire behavior reduced the immediate threat to Glynn County. Highway 32 between Highway 301 and Highway 99 remained closed. About an inch of rain fell on the wildfire on May 2nd which helped reduce fire activity and helped crews increase the containment to 64%. On May 3rd, the fire was 22,471 acres and 75% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). On May 4th, the fire was 22,420 acres and 85% contained. On May 7th, Hwy 32 reopened and the fire was 90% contained. On May 9th, steady rainfall over the fire area throughout the day helped reduce fire activity across much of the incident. On May 29th, the fire was 95% contained, per the NIFC.

Wildfire, Clinch

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 31, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Clinch forecast zone
Property damage
$1.0 million
Crop damage
$3.0 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
30.915, -82.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

On the 18th of April, the Pineland Road fire ignited over southern Clinch County, rapidly growing to 2500 acres by the 19th of April due to favorable conditions. On May 1st, the fire was 32,575 acres with 40% containment. Road closures continued for Colon Rd, Mud Camp Rd, Mattox Ford Rd, and Headlight Rd. On May 2nd, a passing cold front brought a soaking, beneficial rain of 1-1.5 inches across the fire with minimal lightning activity. On May 5th, the fire was 65% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). On May 9th, the fire was 87% contained per the NIFC. On May 11th, the fire burned 32,575 acres with 90% containment. All previous closed roads were reopened. Only private roads (company and club roads) remained closed. On May 15th, the Georgia Forestry Commission revised the fire to be 32,031 acres. The fire was 95% contained on May 22nd. The estimated cost of the wildfire was around $14-15 million.

Also in Clinch county was the Sargent wildfire which developed in northwest Baker county, northern Osceola National Forest on April 2, 2026 around 350 PM EDT and spread into Clinch. In the beginning of May, about 1.96 inches of rain fell over the Sargent Fire. Although rain was received, there was still a lot of heat in the swamp, and the fire continued to creep and smolder. Lots of reburn occurred in varied areas. Vegetative fuels remained extremely dry, allowing for reburn to take place. On May 5th, the Sargent fire was 2,523 acres and 81% contained per the Florida Forest Service Suwannee Forestry Center. On May 12th, the fire was at 90% contained, per Florida Forest Service.

Wildfire, Echols

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 31, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Echols forecast zone
Property damage
$1.0 million
Crop damage
$3.0 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
30.710, -82.894 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the 20th of April, the Pineland Road fire that ignited over southern Clinch County crossed into Echols County. On May 1st, the fire was 32,575 acres with 40% containment. The mandatory evacuation order issued for Echols County by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and Echols County EMA was lifted on May 1st. Road closures continued for Pineland Rd, Gopher Lope Rd, Register, Worth Ln, Joes Ln, Will Rewis Rd, New Barnes Rd, Gaddis Rd, King Rd, Jesse Ln, May Ln, Chauncey Rd, and Hendley Rd. On May 2nd, a passing cold front brought a soaking, beneficial rain of 1-1.5 inches across the fire with minimal lightning activity. Will Rewis Rd reopened on May 4th. On May 5th, the fire was 65% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). On May 9th, the fire was 87% contained per the NIFC. On May 11th, all Echols county roads were reopened. Only private roads (company and club roads) remained closed. The fire was 32,575 acres with 90% containment per the NIFC. On May 15th, the Georgia Forestry Commission revised the fire to be 32,031 acres. The fire was 95% contained on May 22nd. On May 27th, the Level 2 (Set) and Level 1 (Ready) Evacuations were lifted, per Echols County Emergency Management Agency with no evacuations remaining. The estimated cost of the wildfire was around $14-15 million.

What these are

Wildfire
A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Georgia in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, May 2026

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1331079, 1331082, 1331084, 1331091, 1331093.