NAHUNTA, Ga. (AP) — Wildfires tearing through the South have forced hundreds of Georgia residents to flee in minutes, leaving them distraught about the homes and animals they left behind.
The fires that spread this week during an extreme drought in Georgia and Florida have blanketed cities hundreds of miles away in smoke, leading to more air quality warnings across the Southeast.
Driven by strong winds and low humidity, the two biggest fires in southern Georgia have spread rapidly, destroying more than 50 homes in rural areas. The growing threat led to evacuations and school closings on Wednesday.
“I don’t know if I have a house standing or not,” said Denise Stephens, who evacuated due to the Brantley County fire near Georgia’s coast. “I know what it’s taken from other people, but I don’t know what I have left standing.”
The weather forecast warned of another high-risk day, with shifting winds posing a major concern. Fire crews in Georgia are responding to new blazes while battling over 130 wildfires in Florida.
Officials report that the wildfires are fueled by debris left from Hurricane Helene, adding to the fire risk in already dry conditions. The Brantley County fire has caused significant structural damage across a large area, although some stability has been observed overnight with the fire being about 15% contained.
Air quality has deteriorated due to smoke drifting across the Southeast, prompting warnings for vulnerable groups in cities as far as Columbia, South Carolina. Haze and smoky odors have been reported as far north as Atlanta.
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Associated Press writer Jeff Martin in Atlanta contributed.
