Wildfire in Wayne, 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. On May 2nd, all voluntary evacuations were rescinded but mandatory evacuations along Mobile Road remained in place. 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, 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. On May 9th, steady rainfall over the fire area throughout the day helped reduce fire activity across much of the incident. On May 11th, all evacuations were lifted for Wayne county. On May 29th, the fire was 95% contained, per the NIFC.

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.