NAHUNTA, Ga. – The Highway 82 Fire that sparked in Brantley County on April 20 continues to grow and now exceeds 31 square miles, officials reported Sunday.
Emergency crews in Southeast Georgia have now been working for one week to contain the fires that have forced people out of their homes and closed major roads and highways.
The fire has grown to over 20,900 acres and is currently 6% contained, according to an update Sunday night. Highway 82 in Brantley County is about 35 miles north of the state line with Florida, and the fire is mainly impacting the communities of Atkinson and Waynesville.
RELATED: Full coverage of Brantley County fire
Officials have created a Facebook page to share updates on the ongoing fire fight: www.facebook.com/Hwy82fire.
Emergency crews have set up a staging area at the local airport as they work around the clock to suppress the fires that have caused critical damage to homes and communities in Brantley County.
As of Saturday, the fire had destroyed at least 87 homes, including some belonging to first responders who continue to work despite their personal loss.
“It’s very important to understand, No. 1, we’ve got some heartbroken folks working this fire. They’ve been here almost a week. No. 2, you need to know we care,” Brantley County Manager Joey Cason said.
Updated figures on homes damaged or destroyed by the blaze were not immediately available Sunday afternoon, said Susie Heisey, spokeswoman with the Southern Area Incident Management Team.
“Our firefighters worked so hard and had so much success in protecting structures and private homes, but there also were losses,” Heisey said.
Due to the ongoing fire, investigators can’t be sent in yet to assess damages, she added.
More crews were expected to arrive Monday to help battle it, Cason said.
“There’s a ton of assets that are being poured into this fire to, hopefully, get it under control or get it out,” he said. “This whole situation is heartbreaking.”
Brantley County remains under a mandatory curfew from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., and a burn ban is in place for all counties in south Georgia.
Shifting winds
Firefighters had battled valiantly to keep the fire west of Browntown Road, but wind shifts caused them to lose some containment, and the fire is now east of Browntown Road.
Dozer lines are being installed east of Browntown Road through pine plantation to Albert Gibson Road, which is holding well to the north to Boots Harrison Road, officials said Sunday night.
“The fire basically doubled last night in size,” Cason said Sunday in a Facebook post. “It is a dynamic fire event that will be impacted by the wind.”
Wind gusts in the 15-25 mph range are expected to stick around through Wednesday, according to The Weather Authority.
The wind shift is expected to bring more smoke to the Highway 82 corridor, and residents traveling along Highway 82 on Monday morning are asked to use extreme caution when driving through Atkinson, Lulaton and Nahunta.
The Highway 82 fire was started by a foil balloon hitting live power lines. That created an electrical arc that ignited combustible material on the ground.
Evacuations
Cason and other county officials urge community members to take action and follow evacuation orders if they receive a warning.
“We had folks that did not evacuate, and they almost got caught by that fire,” Cason added. “It’s going to be another potential bad fire day as the winds pick up later in the day.”
All homes, roads and properties within the following boundaries in Brantley County are under mandatory evacuation:
- North: Highway 32
- South: Highway 82
- West: Highway 110
- East: Post Road
For information about evacuations and road closures in Brantley County, call the Sheriff’s Office at 912-674-5878 or 912-674-0195.
Glynn County (glynncounty.org/wildfires) evacuations include the following:
Mandatory Evacuation
- Old Post Road to Highway 32
- Highway 32 to Thalman Park Lane
- Thalman Park Lane to Bladen Road
- Bladen Road to Old Post Road
Voluntary Evacuation / Prepare to Leave
- Alpine Road
- Gilley Road
- Boones Branch Road
- Sallie Cline Road
- Mauney Street
- Chelsea Circle
- Post Road north of Highway 82
- Old Post Road north of Highway 32
Residents in voluntary evacuation areas should prepare essential items and be ready to leave if conditions worsen.
Road closures
Browntown Road from Highway 82 to the Wayne County Line is closed due to fire operations and limited visibility.
MORE: Latest road closures
The Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia State Patrol are closely monitoring the smoke and fog conditions, which could cause intermittent closures of Highway 82 if visibility conditions deteriorate.
Closures
Brantley County Schools remain closed Monday and Tuesday, and officials will continue to provide updates as the conditions change.
Glynn County Schools will be open as normal on Monday, but if the smoke worsens, outdoor activities will be limited or suspended. Any students affected by mandatory evacuations will receive an excused absence.
There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area to avoid conflict between personal aircraft and firefighting efforts.
This includes all recreational and professional unmanned aircraft (drones).
Polls will be open at the normal location: Elections Office, 10305 N Main St., Nahunta, Ga. 31553.
Shelters
Glynn County has coordinated with the American Red Cross to establish a 24/7 shelter at Selden Park to support individuals affected by the fires in Brantley County.
The address is 100 Genoa Martin Drive, Brunswick, Georgia.
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The shelter will also have an air-conditioned mobile unit to house small pets (dogs/cats) in crates. Bedding and crates can be provided.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture Facebook page has listed evacuation locations for large animals.
Day shelters are also available at:
- Nahunta Methodist Church, 107 E Cleveland St, Nahunta
- Southside Baptist Church, 550 School St, Nahunt
Pets are only allowed at the Red Cross Shelter in Brunswick.
Donations
For affected community members, the following locations are accepting donations:
- Brantley Gas, 114 Satilla Ave., Nahunta (new or gently used clothing, hangers, hygiene items, empty totes with lids)
- H&S Haulers, 125 Industrial Park, Nahunta (nonperishable items and pet food)
- Brantley County Family Connections, 10305 Main St., Nahunta (all donations)
The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office said donations can no longer be accepted at the command post at the airport.
“Moving forward, all donations will be coordinated through Brantley County Family Connection. They will serve as the central point for receiving and distributing donations to and from the Command Post to ensure everything is managed safely and efficiently‚” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Air quality concerns
Smoke conditions can change quickly as wildfire activity and wind patterns shift. Residents should monitor air quality and take precautions when smoke is present.
Current Air Quality Resources
- AirNowCheck current air quality and smoke conditions in your area. View AirNow
Sensitive groups should take precautions
- People with asthma
- COPD / respiratory conditions
- Heart conditions
- Older adults
- Children
Recommended actions
- Stay indoors when possible
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Run filtered air / HVAC if available
- Limit outdoor activity during heavy smoke
- Follow your provider’s guidance if symptoms worsen