Wildfire in Brantley, Georgia

On April 20, 2026 at 4 PM EDT, the Georgia Forestry Commission reported a wildfire developed along Highway 82 near Atkinson, GA. The Highway 82 fire was caused by a Mylar balloon coming into contact with a power line, creating an electrical arc that ignited the surrounding vegetation. This wildfire resulted in the worst home loss from a single fire in Georgia history, with 110 homes destroyed and 27 homes damaged. On May 1st, the fire was 22,532 acres and 45% contained. Boots Harrison Road, North of Albert Gibson Road and Highway 32 from US 301 to Highway 99 remained closed due to fire and smoke. At 7 PM, the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) reopened SR 110 to traffic in Brantley County. On May 2nd, Hwy 32 was opened from US 301 to 110w and from Post Road to Browntown Road. About an inch of rain fell on the wildfire on May 2nd which helped reduce fire activity and helped crews increase the containment to 64%. On May 3rd, evacuation orders impacting residences were lifted for Brantley county. All roads reopened except for Highway 32. The fire was 22,471 acres and 75% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). On May 4th, the fire was 22,420 acres and 85% contained. On May 7th, Hwy 32 reopened and the fire was 90% contained. Crews observed reburn within the fire interior near State Route 110 and Stewart Road, State Route 110 and Dogwood Road, and Browntown Road due to strong winds across the area. On May 9th, steady rainfall over the fire area throughout the day helped reduce fire activity across much of the incident. On May 29th, the fire was 95% contained, per the NIFC. One minor injury occurred among more than 600 personnel.

Extreme to exceptional drought, dry fuels, and breezy days triggered numerous wildfires in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida in April that continued through the month of May. Multiple rounds of beneficial rain fell across the wildfires in May which helped in the containment of local ongoing wildfires.