Hwy 82

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Hwy 82 Fire ignited on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, near Waynesville along the Highway 82 corridor in Brantley County, Georgia.
Size and Containment: As of April 24, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 5,000 acres and is 15% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has exhibited extreme and rapid growth, expanding from 600 acres on Tuesday morning to over 5,000 acres by Wednesday. It has been burning aggressively in multiple directions simultaneously, fueled by unpredictable winds, extremely dry vegetation, and dead and downed timber left over from Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Containment Efforts: The Georgia Forestry Commission is the lead agency, working alongside local emergency crews from at least 16 to 22 different agencies. Governor Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency and activated the Georgia National Guard to assist. Crews are working around the clock utilizing heavy machinery and helicopters to build fire breaks and drop water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has unlocked disaster aid and authorized federal funds to reimburse up to 75% of the firefighting costs.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Mandatory evacuations have been issued for several areas in Brantley County, including GA-110 (Yellow Pine Rd) to Thrower Rd; Happy Hollow; Drury Ln & Drury Ct; Coffee County Club Rd; from Thrower Rd to Mossy Oak; Warners Landing; Oaks Woodlands; Atkinson Road; Godberry Lane; Brushing Creek; Fort Mcintosh to Highway 520 (both sides of the road); Browntown Road from Hwy 82 to Greenleaf Rd; Hawks Landing; and Highway 110 to the Satilla River between Coffee County Club Road and Drury Lane.
Evacuation Warnings: A voluntary evacuation has been issued for the area of U.S. 301 from the county line to Rowell Road to the west of Highway 110, north to Highway 32, and east of Highway 110 to the county line.
Curfew: Brantley County has established a curfew for the affected areas.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Residents in the region are urged to stay ready for evacuation with bags packed with basic necessities and medication, and to ensure pets are accounted for. Relief efforts have been set up in the town of Nahunta for displaced residents.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Highway 82 is closed due to the fire and heavy smoke.
• Brantley County Schools have been closed due to ongoing fire hazards and resource impacts.

For more information, visit:

• Georgia Forestry Commission Current Wildfire Information
• Brantley County Official Website
• Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA)

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: One firefighter has been reported injured while battling the blaze. Fortunately, no civilian fatalities have been reported at this time.
Structures Impacted: The fire has been highly destructive, with at least 87 homes and structures reported destroyed. Approximately 1,000 additional homes remain threatened.
School and Business Closures: Brantley County Schools have canceled classes for the week. Notable businesses destroyed include Morgan Automotive on Highway 82, which was reported as a total loss, as well as a local wedding chapel business.
Notable Impacts: The fire has taken a substantial emotional and financial toll on the community, leaving dozens of families displaced. Relief efforts and food trucks have been organized in Nahunta to support fire refugees who have lost everything.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: While widespread power outages are not the primary concern, the fire is believed to have started near power lines, and infrastructure remains threatened.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: A state of emergency has prompted strict burn bans across the region due to extreme fire danger.
Air Quality: Smoke from the fire is drifting hundreds of miles, triggering air quality warnings as far north as South Carolina. Reduced visibility on highways is a major hazard for drivers, and residents with respiratory conditions are advised to take precautions and stay indoors.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire is currently 15% contained. Firefighters expect continued challenges due to explosive fire conditions and are not counting on any significant rain to assist with containment. While major overnight growth has stabilized, the situation remains fluid, and crews are working aggressively to establish and hold containment lines.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Unpredictable and shifting winds continue to be a major concern, creating erratic fire behavior. Officials warn that the fire could shift in moments, and residents must remain on high alert.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The exact cause of the Hwy 82 Fire remains under official investigation, though state officials have indicated they believe it started after a balloon landed on a power line.
Weather and Climate: The fire is being fueled by severe and historic drought conditions. Approximately 98% of Georgia is currently in moderate to exceptional drought, with a 2-foot rain shortfall in Brantley County. Extremely dry vegetation, compounded by dead and downed timber left over from Hurricane Helene in 2024, and sustained winds have severely exacerbated the fire's spread and intensity.

For more information, visit:

• Georgia Forestry Commission Current Wildfire Information
• Brantley County Official Website
• Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA)