BRANTLEY COUNTY, Fla. – Brantley County business owner Ginger Hunter says she is starting over from nothing after a fast-moving wildfire destroyed her home, her wedding chapel business, and nearly everything tied to her family’s livelihood.
In a matter of minutes, she said, everything changed.
“We saw the flames behind the chapel and knew we only had moments,” she said. “There’s a clip of the fire going around social media with a white fence on the right. At the end of the clip, you can see black smoke; that’s my house going up.”
The wildfire, which has burned thousands of acres and remains only partially contained, has already destroyed at least 54 homes, according to county officials. For Hunter’s family, the loss goes far beyond property—it’s deeply personal.
“We have to start with a home for my family. I had no insurance on my house. I’m a single mom doing the best I can,” she said. “Then, once we’re not homeless, we’ll start on the businesses.”
Hunter told News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee and photojournalist Jesse Hanson that the fire destroyed her wedding chapel, a large reception hall and bridal suite, and multiple other buildings on the property—including a dress shop run by her daughter. Vehicles, campers, and equipment used for their businesses were also lost.
Beyond the businesses, irreplaceable memories are gone.
“We lost my wedding dress, my mom’s wedding dress, my daughter’s wedding dress,” Hunter said. “My son is a senior in high school. His prom is Saturday. My mom was able to buy him an outfit. He lost his vehicle.”
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She added that other loved ones were displaced, and some pets are still unaccounted for, and that, with the speed of the fire, it was nearly impossible to process what was happening.
“My mind still can’t comprehend how in one moment life is happening, and instantly life looks different,” Hunter said.
Even in the middle of that loss, she says one thing stands out—her family made it out alive.
Now, as families like hers begin to pick up the pieces, officials warn the wildfire is still only partially contained, and conditions could shift again, putting more homes at risk.
A GoFundMe has been created to help Hunter and her family rebuild, starting with securing a place to live before she can begin restoring the businesses she lost.