7:30 PM: The 5,000-acre fire in Brantley County remains 10% contained. The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office says officials confirm that the fire has not crossed the river. They also say that significant overnight growth is not anticipated, but the situation remains fluid and subject to change.
The sheriff’s office says the next update will be provided on Thursday at 9 a.m. unless anything urgent happens throughout Wednesday night.
5:02 PM: Fifty-four homes have been destroyed due to the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, officials said.
One firefighter was also hurt while battling the 5,000-acre fire.
3:05 PM: A state of emergency has been declared for Brantley County.
The Brantley County Board of Commissioners and Emergency Management Agency have activated the Emergency Operations Plan to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Brantley County citizens.
2:31 PM: Brantley County officials will hold a news conference at 4:30 p.m. to give an update on the fire. Action News Jax will be there and will stream it LIVE.
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2:14 PM: Mandatory evacuations have been issued for the following areas of Brantley County:
- GA-110 (Yellow Pine Rd) to Thrower Rd
- Browntown Road from Hwy 82 to Greenleaf Rd
“If you are in these areas, evacuate immediately. Do not delay,” the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.
11:26 AM: Brantley County School System said on social media all schools will be closed again on Thursday “due to ongoing fire hazards and affected resources in the area.”
The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. We appreciate your patience and support during this time.
8:30 AM: Brantley County Manager Joey Cason said the wildfire there has grown to over 5,000 acres on Wednesday morning, 47 homes have been destroyed and thousands more are in danger.
Wildfires in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia continue burning Wednesday morning causing significantly more damage and disruption than in previous days.
One of the larger blazes, the Highway 82 fire in Brantley County, was burning just over 5,000 acres Wednesday morning. It was 600 acres Tuesday morning.
That fire has forced evacuations, closed schools, and destroyed at least 42 structures.
Officials have scheduled a news conference for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. *Action News Jax will stream it live here
WATCH BELOW: Brantley County and Georgia officials give update Wednesday afternoon on Hwy 82 Fire
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and Florida Forest Service leadership gave an update Tuesday in Green Cove Springs on the Railroad fire in Clay and Putnam counties. It was 4,112 acres, 50% contained Wednesday morning.
Simpson predicted more wildfires due to the state’s current dry conditions. He urged homeowners to make sure that there is “defensible space” around their homes. This “increases the likelihood that a home will survive a wildfire even in the absence of firefighters,” according to the Florida Department of Agriculture.
Here’s a county-by-county update of the current wildfire conditions:
Northeast Florida
Baker County
- Sargent Fire - 2,523 acres, 81% contained
Clay, Putnam counties
- Railroad Fire - 4,186 acres, 55% contained
Nassau County
- Connor Nelson Road Fire - 500 acres, 85% contained
Putnam County
- Pace Court Fire - 343 acres, 85% contained
- Mondex 3 Fire - 256 acres, 80% contained
CLICK HERE to view Florida Forest Service’s interactive wildfires map
Southeast Georgia
Brantley County
- Highway 82 Fire - Over 5,000 acres, 10% contained
- Brantley County schools are canceled Wednesday and Thursday
Mandatory Evacuation:
- Browntown Road from Hwy 82 to Greenleaf Rd
- GA-110 (Yellow Pine Rd) to Thrower Rd
- Happy Hollow
- Drury Ln & Drury Ct
- Coffee County Club Rd
- From Thrower Rd to Mossy Oak
Road Closures:
Brantley County Government released the following affected areas and road closures due to active fire conditions and ongoing emergency response:
- Highway 82 from Nahunta to Post Road
- Highway 110 West – at Highway 32 down to the Camden County line
- Highway 259 – from Highway 82 to the Camden County line
- Highway 32 – from Highway 110 to Post Road
Clinch County
- Pineland Road Fire - 16,616 acres, 10% contained.
CLICK HERE to view Georgia Forestry Commission’s interactive wildfires map
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