U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler visited South Georgia on Friday to survey damage from the Highway 82 wildfires and meet with business owners and local officials as the federal government considers disaster assistance for the region.

Election results for local races in Brantley, Charlton & Pierce Counties in Georgia's 2026 primary

People from all across the area showed up at News4JAX on Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to donate supplies for wildfire victims in Brantley County.

Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief has shifted from supporting firefighters to helping homeowners recover from the Highway 82 Fire. At Southside Baptist Church, volunteers take applications and connect residents to recovery resources.

As conditions improved in Brantley County, Georgia, with the Highway 82 wildfire now 90% contained, some residents who evacuated for days are beginning to return home — finding a stark mix of devastation and relief.

A wildfire more than 100 miles west of Jacksonville is to blame for an air quality alert Friday morning.

Brantley County Sheriff’s Office deputies shot and killed a suspect Wednesday afternoon after the individual presented a firearm during an attempted arrest.

Brantley County leaders say they’re shifting into recovery from the Highway 82 Fire, launching a one-stop website, waiving RV-related fees, and routing donations through Brantley County Family Connection.

A Jacksonville couple said they’re working to help families displaced by the Highway 82 wildfire in Brantley County get stable housing again by securing mobile homes at reduced cost and connecting victims with financing options.

Neighbors and community volunteers coordinated to surprise "Lucky" Phillips with a camper so she can stay on her property as she rebuilds after the devastating Brantley County wildfires. They put it right where her home once stood.

News4JAX’s meteorologist Katie Garner explains the latest severe weather alerts for Jacksonville, including a tornado watch, fire danger, high winds, and soaring temperatures expected through the weekend.

The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that Highway 32 has reopened as the wildfire that devastated the county remains 85% contained.

A wildfire that sparked two weeks ago in Brantley County has left a trail of devastation, burning more than 35 square miles and destroying more than 100 homes.

News4JAX is hosting a Positively JAX donation drive this Friday to support families impacted by the devastating wildfire in Brantley County, where dozens of homes were destroyed in recent weeks.

It may be years before some families in Brantley County return to normal. For some, that day may never come. But two weeks after schools closed because of wildfires, students got the chance to go back — and one 9-year-old had a message for everyone around her.

Two weeks after a wildfire ripped through Brantley County, destroying dozens of homes in the tight-knit communities of Atkinson and Waynesville, schools are reopening to students on Monday, but district officials have made it clear that families dealing with displacement or property loss should not feel rushed to send their children back.

Overnight rain is offering some relief to firefighters battling a wildfire in Brantley County, but officials are urging residents to remain cautious as drying conditions are expected to return throughout the week.

All mandatory evacuations have been lifted, and containment of the fire is now at 64%, according to Karen Miranda-Gleason, a public information officer with the Southern Area Incident Management Team.

Volunteer firefighters in Waynesville are pumping water from a private pond to fill tankers battling the Highway 82 Fire. One volunteer says it’s personal: “This is my home.”

The Brantley County School District announced plans to welcome students back to school Monday, more than a week after wildfires forced closures across the district.

Ten days into a devastating wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes in Brantley County, things are slowly but surely opening back up as residents shift into recovery mode.

As Brantley County continues to deal with the aftermath of devastating wildfires, the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about scammers targeting the community and posing as law enforcement.

Brantley County residents are praying for rain as crews battle the Highway 82 Fire. Families describe evacuations, loss and uncertainty. The sheriff’s office shared aerial video of rainfall, calling it answered prayer.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is over, easing concerns about whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency would have enough money to respond to disasters as hurricane season approaches and wildfires burn in South Georgia.

Paramedic Brandon Lynn was at work on April 21 when a wildfire ripped through his Brantley County community, changing his life in a matter of seconds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday it has begun using Immediate Needs Funding after its Disaster Relief Fund fell below the $3 billion threshold, limiting the agency to support only lifesaving and life-sustaining disaster work while Congress remains without a full appropriation.

Ten days into a devastating wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes in Brantley County, things are slowly but surely opening back up as residents shift into recovery mode.

While firefighters work to contain the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, a church in Nahunta is making sure the people on the front lines have everything they need to keep going.

Brushy Creek Road families return as the Highway 82 Fire burns in Brantley County. Some homes survived while neighbors lost everything. Residents describe frantic escapes, lingering smoke, sleepless nights, and community support.

As wildfires burned in Brantley County and threatened areas near Highway 82, the owner of South Georgia Equine Rescue said she had only a short window to move hundreds of animals out of harm’s way.

Jacksonville is set for much-needed rain this weekend, with The Weather Authority expecting significant showers to help ease the region's drought and fire concerns.

As the county shifts into recovery mode amid devastating wildfires, Brantley County Schools will remain closed through Friday for students, and meals will be passed out again on Wednesday.

Brantley County is beginning to shift from response to recovery after days of devastation from the wildfire, but officials warn that while fire crews are making progress, the danger is not over.

Some Brantley County residents finally made it home Tuesday after evacuation orders were lifted for the Highway 110 West area — but for many, the relief came wrapped in heartbreak.

Officials battling two large wildfires in southern Georgia say firefighters are bracing for a long battle even after weekend rains boosted their containment efforts.

The humidity has been critically low over the past few days, generally below 30%. What exactly is relative humidity, and how does it impact how a fire spreads?

A Brantley County woman on her way to see what was left of her property stopped to share her story with News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee. A report Brownlee shared last week revealed that the gravestone of the woman's grandson had survived the fire unscathed, bringing relief to her daughter in Atlanta.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said that rumors that it stopped aid and pulled firefighters from the Georgia wildfires are false.

After days of evacuating, waiting and watching the smoke, some Brantley County residents are finally returning home—uncertain of what they’ll find, but grateful for what remains.

As community members across the Southeast rally to help families affected by the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, officials have acknowledged concerns about possible scams popping up.

Some families in Brantley County are finally learning what’s left of their homes after officials adjusted road closures and evacuation orders on Monday to allow some residents to return to their properties.

Wildfire danger is rising in the Jacksonville area as fires impact Brantley County and surrounding regions. News4JAX’s Meteorologist Katie Garner shares an optimistic forecast for rain helping fight the fires, while drought conditions and rainfall deficits persist.

Wildfires have burned more than 22,000 acres in Brantley County with minimal containment. Schools are closed, but teachers and staff showed up to make sure students didn't go hungry.

Families affected by the wildfires in Georgia should contact their insurance company as soon as possible and thoroughly document damage, public adjusters say.

Though the nearly 23,000-acre Brantley County wildfire is not completely out, the sheriff’s office said it was adjusting some road closures and evacuation orders to allow residents to return to their homes.

The Red Cross, neighbors and church and community volunteers have rallied at shelters and relief centers to support hundreds of residents displaced by the Highway 82 wildfire that has prompted expanded evacuations in Brantley and Glynn counties.

Residents evacuated since Tuesday described the shock of fleeing the Highway 82 fire as the evacuation zones expanded and more families were forced from their homes.

Sean Way, owner of Sunsera Insurance Agency in Jacksonville, joined us on The Morning Show with important information for homeowners about protecting their property amid ongoing wildfires.

Brantley County Schools will remain closed Monday and Tuesday, but safety and recovery teams are organizing food, medical, and supply services for Brantley County Schools families.

Conditions over the weekend were not ideal for containment due to the lower humidity, dry ground and the breeze.

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.

After overwhelming support poured in from local communities and surrounding areas, the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office is accepting donations again. The department briefly paused donations to coordinate distribution for first responders battling the Highway 82 wildfire.

The Highway 82 Fire that sparked in Brantley County on April 20 continues to grow and now exceeds 31 square miles, officials reported Sunday.

Smoke from the Brantley County wildfires drifted into neighboring Glynn County, prompting air-quality concerns as voluntary evacuations continued and a local state of emergency remained in effect.

As the Highway 82 Fire burns through Brantley County, local volunteers and organizations have set up multiple donation centers, including one outside Brantley County Family Connection, to support residents displaced by the disaster.

One of two large wildfires in southeastern Georgia continues to grow and now exceeds 31 square miles.

Community members gathered at Brantley High School on Saturday for an impact rally aimed at helping families affected by the ongoing wildfires in Brantley County.

More than 5,000 acres continue to burn in the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, with at least 87 homes lost, and the Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that a curfew will be in place from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the affected area.

Brantley County Schools will remain closed Monday and Tuesday, April 27–28, as officials continue to monitor ongoing fire conditions in the area.

In the face of devastating wildfires, and at least 90 homes destroyed by wildfires, one message is echoing across Brantley County, Georgia: Brantley strong.

Two wildfires in southeastern Georgia continue to threaten homes and lives as officials warn that strong winds could spread the flames.

The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Browntown Road between Highway 82 and Highway 32.

More than 5,000 acres continue to burn in the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, with at least 87 homes lost, and the Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that a curfew will be in place from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the affected area.

A Brantley County church is feeding and supplying families displaced by one of the largest wildfires in Georgia's history — and church leaders say baby items are urgently needed.

With no end in sight to the ongoing Brantley County wildfire that has scorched nearly 8,000 acres, neighbors in the Hawks Landing community took matters into their own hands Thursday afternoon, spraying down their rooftops and yards to guard against falling ash from the nearby fire.

Hundreds of Brantley County residents are still waiting for the all-clear to return home as wildfires continue to grow past 7,500 acres, destroying 87 homes in the process.

Families in Brantley County are being forced from their homes again, as a wildfire continues to push toward neighborhoods along Old Post Road and Hunter Estates.

More than 5,000 acres continue to burn in the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, with at least 87 homes lost, and the Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that a curfew will be in place from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the affected area.

Anna and Dennis Dudek and their four children managed to save 10 dogs, some lizards and a hermit crab from the Brantley County fire before their home was all but leveled by the blaze.

While Kay Floyd’s house was burning down on Tuesday, she was doing her job, helping others navigate around the Brantley County wildfire and getting them to safety as a 911 dispatcher.

More than 5,000 acres continue to burn in the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, with at least 87 homes lost, and the Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that a curfew will be in place from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the affected area.

Exceptional drought and fire danger remain high in Jacksonville, with light rain possible this weekend and air quality alerts in effect for sensitive groups.

While firefighters battle wildfires on the ground in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, a fleet of aircraft is fighting the fires from above — flying just hundreds of feet over active flames to drop thousands of gallons of water and fire retardant.

Wildfires burning in Brantley County scorched about 5,000 acres and remained only 15% contained, as evacuation orders continued and residents braced for what came next.

Sherry Dean was home alone when the horrific wildfire started to close in on her Westley Road property.

Several counties in Georgia are under a state of emergency as wildfires continue to spread. Seth Hawkins of the Georgia Forestry Service joined us via Zoom to provide an update on the situation in Brantley County.

A Brantley County business owner, Ginger Hunter says she is starting over from nothing after a fast-moving wildfire destroyed her home, her wedding chapel, and nearly everything tied to her family’s livelihood.

Brantley County Schools remain closed as wildfires continue to burn across the region, forcing the emergency evacuation of two schools and leaving some students and staff without homes.

91 counties in Georgia are under a State of Emergency as the wildfires continue to grow.

After overwhelming support poured in from local communities and surrounding areas, the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office is accepting donations again. The department briefly paused donations to coordinate distribution for first responders battling the Highway 82 wildfire.

While we need the wind to blow the smoke out of the area, the wind doesn’t help with containing the wildfires that are surrounding our area.

Brantley County Schools remain closed as wildfires continue to burn across the region, forcing the emergency evacuation of two schools and leaving some students and staff without homes.

Fallen trees and limbs scattered across Georgia by Hurricane Helene more than a year ago are now helping fuel destructive wildfires in the state.

As some Brantley County residents struggle with the loss of their homes and others who were forced to evacuate worry they might be next, the tight-knit community is rallying to help in any way they can.

A fast-moving Highway 82 wildfire in Brantley County threatened roughly 1,000 homes Wednesday after destroying dozens a day earlier.

A dangerous wildfire in southeast Georgia is continuing to burn out of control, destroying homes and forcing families to evacuate in Brantley County. The Highway 82 Fire is burning about 5,000 acres and has destroyed more than 50 homes.

Food trucks from neighboring counties showed up for people in Brantley County in need of a warm meal Wednesday.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is warning residents to watch for price gouging and scams connected to ongoing wildfires in South Georgia.

Lucky Phillips said her life changed overnight when a fire destroyed her home.

Nahunta isn’t the only area trying to rally to help wildfire victims.

Dozens of families left home Tuesday morning and had nothing to come back to hours later after a wildfire ripped through Brantley County.

Wildfires have intensified intensifying across the U.S. Southeast.

A fast-moving wildfire in Brantley County that exploded to more than 5,000 acres overnight has destroyed 47 homes, according to county manager Joey Cason.

A wildfire burned 1,500 acres in Brantley County and remained zero percent contained Tuesday night. While the danger grew, neighbors stepped up to help those who lost everything.

A nearby wildfire prompted Brantley County Schools to evacuate students from two schools Tuesday as a precautionary measure.

Georgia voters will have a chance to shape the future of their state during this election year, with an open seat for governor highlighting the races on the 2026 ballot, with the first votes to be cast for the May 19 primaries.

Georgia voters will have a chance to shape the future of their state during this election year, with an open seat for governor highlighting the races on the 2026 ballot, with the first votes to be cast for the May 19 primaries.

Georgia residents who want to cast a ballot in the state’s May 19th primary election have a little more than a week to make sure they are registered to vote, with early voting starting soon after that.

While 2025 is an off-year for most elections, all Georgia voters will soon have a chance to go to the polls to cast ballots in a special election for two seats on the state’s Public Service Commission. At the same time, some southeast Georgia voters will be choosing their local elected officials.

The high school football regular season is off and running in the Peach State. Here are the week-by-week schedules for the six Georgia teams in the News4JAX coverage region.