Wildfires destroy nearly 50 homes in Georgia as blazes grow in Florida
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- Georgia's two largest wildfires have burned over 31 square miles amid exceptional or extreme drought conditions, with the Brantley County fire rapidly expanding and threatening hundreds of homes.
- At least 800 residents in Brantley County have been evacuated, with multiple shelters opened, while evacuations are also underway in Clinch County due to another large wildfire.
- Florida is battling 131 wildfires covering 34 square miles, primarily in the northern region, with the state experiencing one of its worst fire seasons in decades due to an 18-month drought.
- Smoke from the fires has degraded air quality in parts of south Georgia to unhealthy levels, affecting cities like Atlanta, Savannah, and Jacksonville, with smoky conditions expected to persist.
- Fire danger remains high through Friday due to low humidity and breezy winds, prompting continued firefighting efforts and resource staging in both Georgia and Florida.
