BRANTLEY COUNTY, Ga. – The wildfires burning in Brantley County are now considered one of the largest in Georgia’s history, according to Governor Brian Kemp, who surveyed the damage Thursday.
Kemp said a balloon from a child’s birthday party landed on a powerline, causing an arc that is believed to have sparked the blaze. The fire has since burned thousands of acres across the county.
Church becomes a hub for donations
As firefighters continue battling the flames, the Waynesville Missionary Baptist Church has become a central drop-off point for community donations. Shelves inside the church are stacked with canned goods, drinks, and water for families who have lost their homes.
Deacon Ron Olmstead said the community’s instinct to show up for one another is as natural as breathing.
“Most everybody here in this county seem to lean on each other,” Olmstead said. “So it’s sort of a nice knit neighborhood per se. So we try to look out for those as what have you. Plus God tells us to do that. And that’s what we’re here for is to support our local people.”
Church leaders say the most urgent need right now is baby items for displaced families.
Hot meals travel from Savannah to Waynesville
The support is not limited to Brantley County. Churches from as far as Savannah have made the trip to Waynesville to feed evacuees and residents affected by the fire.
Brad Formby, a pastor from Savannah, set up an outdoor meal station Friday offering hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and home-cooked meals — with plans for a full breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bacon, and sausage Saturday morning, along with pulled pork for lunch.
“I feel like that’s what we’re all called to do, definitely what I’m called to do,” Formby said. “So I’m passionate about it and I love it and everybody you see here is the same way. They want to help everybody we can.”
Formby added that in addition to feeding people, his congregation is praying for a specific kind of relief.
“We’re praying. We’re not doing any dances yet, but we definitely are praying for rain. And no wind, because wind fuels the fire.”
‘This county definitely needs prayer’
With firefighters still on the front lines and hundreds of residents displaced from their homes, Deacon Olmstead had a message for people across the region.
“I would ask everybody to pray. We’ve got so many firefighters out there putting their life on the line, as well as the people has been moved out of their own homes, et cetera, with everything left behind. This county definitely needs prayer.”
Olmstead also offered a direct appeal: “No offense to anyone, but get on your knees and pray. We appreciate all the prayers that goes up. We do know that God blesses, and he does come through if you believe in it.”