Growing Georgia wildfires have destroyed 120 homes, forcing new evacuations

Source: Associated Press

By EMILIE MEGNIEN and RUSS BYNUM
Updated 2:21 PM EDT, April 24, 2026

NAHUNTA, Ga. (AP) — Two large wildfires burning in drought-stricken southeast Georgia have destroyed more than 120 homes and are threatening nearly 1,000 more, Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday.

Kemp told reporters after touring the fire area that state officials believe the wildfires have burned more homes than any other in Georgia’s history.

The fire in rural Brantley County has burned 87 homes since it began Friday, fanned by gusty winds into pine woods that are dry as tinder. Kemp said officials believe the fire was sparked by a balloon that landed on a live power line.

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“There’s no way to stop this fire,” Kemp said. “They’re having to contain the flanks and the back of it and then, hopefully, we get a change in the weather.”

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/georgia-florida-wildfires-drought-54ae4a4b099c1c11b3d76800275055e1