State of Emergency in Georgia as Wildfires Destroy 47 Buildings
A significant wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia, has led to the destruction of 47 buildings after rapidly expanding overnight. The fire, which is currently only 10% contained, has necessitated evacuations around Highway 82 and resulted in school closures in the affected areas. Smoke from this fire, along with another in Clinch County, is drifting into metro Atlanta, causing hazy conditions. Due to the ongoing extreme drought conditions, wildfires have exceeded the state's five-year average, prompting a state of emergency declaration by Governor Brian Kemp. Federal funds have been authorized to assist in combating the fires, which have already burned over 11,085 acres and threatened more than 1,050 homes and 50 businesses.