Hundreds of South Georgia residents have been forced to flee their homes as fires continue to rage across the southeastern United States.
Seth Hawkins from the Georgia Forestry Commission talks to reporters, Brantley County, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Firefighting resources have run thin in a fight against an inferno that has so far burned thousands of acres in South Georgia.
Minimum containment success has been achieved for the Pineland Road Fire and the Brantley County fire. Over 130 structures have been destroyed.
This fire is said to be fueled by drought and windy conditions. Authorities worry the situation will continue to get worse.
The Pineland Road fire is the largest of the Georgia fires, having claimed 30,000 acres of land so far. Based on reports, it’s only 10 % contained since it started on April 18.
The Brantley County fire has consumed 5000 acres of vegetation since it started on Monday. It has destroyed homes and places of business in Atkinson and Waynesville, also causing multiple road closures.
Due to changing wind conditions, the direction of the flames has become unpredictable, frustrating containment efforts. Schools in Brantley County will remain closed on Thursday and Friday for safety reasons.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency. Officials have implemented restrictions on outdoor burnings throughout the state. State firefighters are now actively getting federal support to stop the rapid progression of the fire. 20 state fire departments are currently involved in the response action. Volunteer firefighters have also joined the emergency efforts to cut fire breaks.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to finance Georgia’s efforts to curb the fires.
Authorities are asking residents to stay alert and heed evacuation orders, which can be issued on short notice. Smoke from the Georgia and Florida fires has covered cities for thousands of kilometers, leading to concerns about air quality.
Earlier this week, the American Lung Association released a report that showed that 46 million children in the US had been exposed to toxic air quality, citing wildfires as a leading cause. Affected children are predisposed to chronic conditions like Asthma and heart disease.
Residents who have been forced to evacuate struggle to remain hopeful. “I don’t know if I have a house standing or not,” said Denise Stephens, one of the affected residents. The cause of the fire and how it started remain unknown, but authorities now urge residents to be cautious, saying that even a spark from small cigarette butts can ignite massive fires in these dry conditions.
Motorists are dealing with low visibility levels. On Thursday morning, visibility was reported as less than half a mile on key highways because of smoke from the raging fires.
Clinch and Echols counties have been the most affected by the smoke. Across the border in Florida, the situation is dire as authorities scramble to stop 130 wildfires in the state’s northern half.
With no significant rainfall expected in sight, authorities warn that the spread of the fires is far from over. Affected residents have been asked to “stay away from active fire zones” and limit travel in smoky conditions. Authorities have also requested residents to pause the use of drones near fire zones to avoid interference with firefighting aircraft.