Heavy weekend rain slows 2 sprawling Georgia wildfires, even as new blazes start

Source: Associated Press

By RUSS BYNUM and JEFF MARTIN
Updated 4:36 PM EDT, April 27, 2026

NAHUNTA, Ga. (AP) -- Heavy rain slowed the progress of two sprawling southern Georgia wildfires over the weekend, allowing crews to make some progress in containing the blazes that have destroyed more than 100 homes.

Although the rain helped the firefighting efforts, it wasn't "nearly enough to put the fires out” and crews responded to 10 new blazes throughout the drought-stricken state Sunday, the Georgia Forestry Commission said Monday.

Blackened trees and charred palmetto fronds lined the shoulders of U.S. 82 on Monday in Brantley County, where Georgia's second-largest blaze, the Highway 82 Fire, has been tearing through the forest. Smoke poured from the ground in several spots beside the highway -- a sign that fire still smoldered beneath the dirt.

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Georgia's biggest blaze, the Pineland Road Fire, has scorched more than 50 square miles (130 square kilometers) and at least 35 homes in a sparsely populated and heavily wooded part of the state about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Florida, which is also dealing with wildfires. The area has been full of highly combustible dead trees and other vegetation since Hurricane Helene carved a destructive path northward in September of 2024.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/georgia-florida-wildfires-drought-415d7bd92781157b4e320815b33b5846