After days of evacuating, waiting and watching the smoke, some Brantley County residents are finally returning home—uncertain of what they’ll find, but grateful for what remains.
For many, the experience has been overwhelming.
“It’s been very scary, very nerve-racking, very stressful, not knowing if our home was going to make it,” said Hailey Johnson, who lives along Highway 110 West. “It’s been devastating for the people who have lost their homes. It’s heartbreaking.”
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Johnson has been away from her home for more than a week as the wildfire spread through the area, forcing repeated evacuations and leaving families in limbo.
“It’s been stressful, devastating, heartbreaking, it’s been a lot. A lot of emotions, a lot of anxiety, a lot, it’s been a lot,” she said.
She described the uncertainty as one of the hardest parts.
“Not knowing what’s coming, not knowing where the fire is, all of the smoke, not knowing anything is very stressful,” Johnson said.
That uncertainty is something many residents share.
Morse Carter, who also lives along Highway 110 West, said the past several days have blurred together as evacuation orders came and went.
“The days have been so together, we started evacuating Wednesday evening, we were able to get back Thursday, stayed until Friday around 3 o’clock. Then the fire was back around us again. They had mandatory evacuations again. We left and haven’t been able to get back until yesterday,” Carter said.
At one point, he said, the fire came dangerously close to his home.
“Everything is good, it probably got within a half mile of our place. Thank God it seems to be under control now,” Carter said.
Even as some areas were spared, the damage across the county is evident. Residents around Highway 110 say that area took the brunt of the damage.
“It’s bad, it looks like a warzone driving toward the east side. But luckily, they kept it off the west side,” Carter said. “Thank God, our prayers were answered again. I just had a heart attack three weeks ago. It’s just hard to describe what we have been through. We just want to thank God, all the firefighters, and forestry people who have been.”
As residents begin to assess the damage, there are signs of cautious relief.
“I think we are good now, they plowed around us real good, and it seems like the rain Sunday helped out, so I didn’t see too many smoldering spots,” Carter said.
Still, officials warn that the situation remains fluid, and residents returning to their homes must stay alert as conditions can change quickly.