Wildfire destroys 47 homes in Southeast Georgia

A fast-moving wildfire in Brantley County that exploded to more than 5,000 acres overnight has destroyed 47 homes, according to county manager Joey Cason.

“When they left yesterday to go to work, they had no idea that this was going to happen,” Cason said, explaining that the fire was just a small pocket around 10 a.m. “Forestry had it almost under control.”

But things changed quickly.

“Within 30 minutes, the winds picked up pretty significantly, and it went from being almost in control to a major wildfire,” Cason said. “Yesterday morning, we had 700 acres burned. It burned over 4,000 acres in a matter of hours as soon as the wind picked up.”

Cason said the blaze moved so fast that some families were evacuated with minutes to spare.

“There were literally evacuations that were taking place with people removed by our EMS service from the porch as the fire was in their backyard,” Cason said. “It was a very rapidly moving fire yesterday afternoon.”

Georgia Forestry also lost one tractor in the fire, Cason said.

READ MORE: Wildfire risks could grow over next 10 weeks

The fire continues to spread west of Highway 259 on the south side of Highway 82 and west side of Highway 110 on the north side of Highway 82 along the Satilla River.

Cason explained that while the winds had not picked up yet Wednesday, officials want residents on both sides of Highway 82, north and south, west of 110 and west of 259 to be packed and ready to go.

“Right now, going towards Highway 32 north is somewhat safe, but depending on winds, if the winds come from the east today, moving westward, this fire is right on the brink of the river and could jump the river,” Cason warned. “So we’re extremely concerned about it moving across the river.”

Cason urged homeowners not to burn anything outdoors and said in no uncertain terms that there should “be no fires anywhere in South Georgia.”

“The primary issue that we have is we have dirt roads, also, and we have had no rain, so we’re working hard to make sure our roads stay passable for our fire services,” Cason said.

Active fire locations

Fires are burning in several areas across the county, including:

• Highway 82 to Satilla River to Browntown Road
• Highway 110 West to south of Drury Lane
• Highway 110 East near Gallberry Road
• Old SR-259 to Satilla Estates

Mandatory evacuations are in place in several areas, and officials are warning people to leave immediately if they’re in those zones.

Brantley County Schools are closed Wednesday for all students and staff.

Officials said they will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on next steps as information becomes available.

Fire officials are also urging people who see flames in new areas or outside the visible fire lines to call 911, with smoky conditions expected over the next few days.

You can find a map showing the active wildfires here.

Mandatory evacuations

The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office says mandatory evacuations have been issued for the following neighborhoods:

• Happy Hollow
• Drury Lane
• Drury Court
• Coffee Co. Club Road
• Warners Landing
• Oak Woodlands
• Atkinson Road
• Godberry Lane
• Brushing Creek
• Fort Mcintosh to Highway 520 on both sides of the road
• Browntown Rd and Hawks Landing neighborhood

Before you leave, the Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to take medications, IDs and important documents and to check on neighbors who may need assistance.

They urge everyone in the mandatory evacuation areas to leave early and avoid the closure area if possible, follow all posted detours and directions from responders and expect delays and increased emergency traffic.

Those who need extra time to evacuate — including people with pets, livestock or medical needs — are urged to leave now. Others should be ready to go at a moment’s notice if conditions worsen.

The recommended evacuation route is Highway 32.

Road closures: Where to avoid

Several roads are closed or should be avoided due to active fire activity:

• Waynesville Road to Highway 110
• Waynesville Road to Highway 259
• U.S. Highway 82 (closed from Nahunta to the Glynn County line)
• Satilla Pines to Browntown Road

These closures are in place for public safety and to allow emergency crews to operate effectively. Avoid these areas completely, as emergency vehicles and equipment are actively operating in these areas.

• Expect detours and significant travel delays.
• Heavy smoke may reduce visibility in and around these routes.

Shelters open

The following locations are open and providing food and water:

• Hortense Church of God — 6756 Highway 32 East, Hortense
• Southside Baptist Church — 550 School St., Nahunta
• Nahunta United Methodist Church — 107 E. Cleveland St., Nahunta
• Little Memorial Baptist — 106 Little Memorial Road, Hortense

Night shelter locations are expected to be announced later Wednesday.

Residents are encouraged to head to the nearest shelter if they need to evacuate. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.

For a full list of current shelters and updates, residents can visit the Brantley County Government Facebook page.

Schools evacuated

The wildfire prompted students from two schools to be evacuated Tuesday as a precaution.

Students from Waynesville Primary and Atkinson Elementary were relocated to the Brantley County Middle School gym in Nahunta, where they were supervised by school staff.

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This story was produced by News4Jax, a Jacksonville Today news partner.