BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Smoke from the Brantley County wildfires drifted into neighboring Glynn County, prompting air-quality concerns as voluntary evacuations continued and a local state of emergency remained in effect.
The smoke created a thick haze across parts of Glynn County, and agencies including Glynn Rescue and Fire warned residents that shifting wind patterns could affect visibility and air quality.
As of Monday morning, the air quality shifted from moderate to good, according to Air Now.
At Selden Park in Brunswick (100 Genoa Martin Dr.), the American Red Cross opened a 24/7 shelter for evacuees and anyone needing a safe place to stay as conditions change.
As of Monday morning, 23 people were staying at the shelter, which has the capacity for 96 people.
“If anybody wants to come, I encourage them to bring just a few clothes that they need, not a whole lot of stuff. It’s usually what we ask is that you just bring enough stuff that will fit underneath the cot that we provide for you,” shelter manager Mike Bowie said.
If you’re driving in from New Castle Street, go over the railroad tracks, then follow the Red Cross signs all the way back to the gymnasium with the green roof.
“It was pretty smoky here this morning. But it’s cleared up most of today, but if you look at the sky, you can still see it,” Bowie said. “It looks like clouds, but it’s not clouds, it’s smoke.”
Bowie said some people arriving at the shelter were worried the fire was moving toward Brunswick.
“They were afraid that the fire was coming here, but of course we reassured them that it wasn’t,” he said.
The shelter has drawn displaced residents from Brantley County and surrounding areas as they wait for updates and to assess what they may be returning to.
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
One evacuee, Rick Biehl, said the conditions he saw reminded him of combat.
“I’ve been in the war. This is a warzone out here,” Biehl said. “It’s nuts. And it’s a losing battle at, like, what is it, 7% to 10%. And it just gone wild. There’s nothing we can do except accept the fact that people are just going to have to rebuild.”
Biehl and Patty Corsones said they are still waiting to learn whether their home is still standing.
“We’re just trying to facilitate, you know, something to help us get started again,” Biehl said. “Until I find out whether my home is gone or not.”
For many evacuees, the waiting has been the hardest part while balancing uncertainty with the hope that they will have something to return to.
“I have faith that it’s still there. Now, I could be wrong, but it’s better to have hope,” Corsones said. “Better to do something than nothing at all,” Biehl said.
The American Red Cross said the shelter at Selden Park is also accepting donations and volunteers. The organization said it plans to remain on site through May 10.
If you need any further assistance, you can either download the free Red Cross App or call them at 1-800-733-2767.