Wildfires Rage in Georgia, Forcing Mass Evacuations

Two major wildfires in southeastern Georgia were still threatening neighborhoods and lives on Saturday, April 26, 2026, as officials expanded evacuation orders and warned that strong winds could accelerate fire growth.

Officials said the blazes have together destroyed more than 120 homes. One of the fires has set a state record for the most homes lost in a single wildfire in Georgia, according to officials.

The larger of the two incidents, known as the Highway 82 Fire , has been burning since Monday. Officials said it has destroyed at least 87 homes and has a perimeter exceeding 14.8 square miles, while containment remained at 10%.

Authorities said the Highway 82 Fire started when a foil balloon made contact with live power lines. With gusty winds in the area, officials warned that conditions could push flames quickly toward additional residential areas, reinforcing the need for residents to follow evacuation instructions.

A second wildfire, located about 70 miles southwest near the Florida state line, has also continued to expand. Officials said it has burned more than 46.9 square miles and destroyed at least 35 homes, with containment also around 10%.

Officials attributed the start of the second fire to sparks from a welding operation. As with the Highway 82 Fire, authorities said the combination of wind and dry fuels has complicated suppression efforts and increased the risk of rapid spread.

The two Georgia fires are unfolding during what officials described as an unusually active wildfire season across the Southeast. Authorities linked the heightened risk to extreme drought conditions, persistent gusty winds, and dead trees left behind by Hurricane Helene in 2024, which can add to available fuel on the ground.

Officials urged residents in threatened areas to comply with evacuation orders, emphasizing that changing wind patterns can quickly alter fire behavior and reduce the time available to leave safely. Firefighters continued working to slow the blazes’ advance and protect structures, while containment remained limited for both incidents.

While no deaths have been reported in Georgia, officials noted a related fatality in the region: a firefighter in northern Florida died on Thursday while battling a brush fire. The death underscores the hazards faced by crews operating in fast-moving fire conditions across the Southeast.