The Georgia Forestry Commission issued its first mandatory burn ban in state history, effective across 91 counties in the lower half of the state, due to worsening drought and rising wildfire activity. Drought in the contiguous US has reached record levels for this time of year, with over 61% of the lower 48 states in moderate to exceptional drought, including 97% of the south-east and two-thirds of the west. Florida is in exceptional or extreme drought, and firefighters are battling 131 wildfires that have burned 34 square miles, mostly in the northern half of the state.
Smoke from the fires drifted to Atlanta, Savannah, and Jacksonville, and air quality in parts of south Georgia declined to unhealthy levels. Georgia's two biggest wildfires together have burned more than 31 square miles, and at least four other smaller fires have been reported. The Brantley County fire in south-east Georgia destroyed 47 homes on Tuesday and grew roughly six times in size over half a day, threatening 300 more homes. At least 800 evacuations have taken place in Brantley County and five shelters have opened.
My office and I are working closely with the Georgia Forestry Commission to respond to the increasing threat of wildfires in South Georgia. If you are in a directly affected area, please adhere to guidance from your local officials to keep you and your family safe.
Governor Brian Kemp said on social media, "My office and I are working closely with the Georgia Forestry Commission to respond to the increasing threat of wildfires in South Georgia. If you are in a directly affected area, please adhere to guidance from your local officials to keep you and your family safe." Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said in a press conference, "Florida has got one of the worst fire seasons in maybe the last 30 or 40 years or it's turning out to be that way. We've been in drought for 18 months now all across the state." Brantley County Manager Joey Cason said the fire grew roughly six times in size over half a day.
Florida has got one of the worst fire seasons in maybe the last 30 or 40 years or it's turning out to be that way. We've been in drought for 18 months now all across the state.
The Brantley county fire grew roughly six times in size over a half day.