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Georgia and Florida Wildfires: 87 Homes Destroyed as Extreme Drought Fuels Massive Blazes

Direct Relief is in communication with state and regional agencies around potential medical needs resulting from fires burning across the U.S. Southeast.

News

Wildfires

Fire crews fight a wildfire in Georgia.
Emergency crews fight the Pineland Road fire in Clinch County, Georgia, this week. The fires have destroyed 87 homes and prompted thousands to evacuate. (Photo courtesy of the Georgia Forestry Commission)
By Lara Cooper

The driest conditions in a decade have spawned wildfires across parts of Georgia and Florida, destroying at least 87 homes and forcing thousands to evacuate.

Much of the region is under extreme drought conditions, creating a combustible environment. More than 34 fires were responded to by the Georgia Forestry Commission on Wednesday.

The state’s two biggest fires, the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County and the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, were at 10 percent and 15 percent containment, respectively, according to the commission.

Much of the state is under a burn ban to limit additional fire risk. Air quality has also been impacted across most of the state, with the city of Atlanta recording “unhealthy” limits for sensitive groups, according to the U.S. Air Quality Index.

The southeastern portion of the state, as well as the South Carolina Low Country, were also recording high smoke impacts from the fires.

How is Direct Relief Responding to Wildfires in the Region?

Direct Relief shipped donated N95 respirator masks, provided by 3M, to Georgia last week to a health clinic currently under a burn ban, and also dispatched medical aid to health organizations in Georgia on Thursday as part of ongoing health support to local groups.

Direct Relief has offered up its medical inventory to health centers and clinics in the state, and is communicating with Georgia Emergency Management, the Georgia Primary Care Association, and the Southeast Health District Partnership, which oversees regional county health departments in fire-impacted areas. Direct Relief is also communicating with the Florida Primary Care Association on medical needs.

“As we see more wildfires happening across the Southeast, it’s our priority to support community health systems as they prepare for and respond to the impacts on public health,” said Meghan Corneal, who manages emergency preparedness and response in the U.S. Southeast for Direct Relief.

“What starts as a small fire can quickly spread under the right conditions, leaving affected communities at risk of everything from smoke exposure to mental health impacts. When health partners are well-resourced and prepared, we are promoting safer, more resilient communities.”

People can also fall into medical crisis when they are evacuated without essential medications to manage chronic conditions, like diabetes and asthma. Direct Relief maintains a medical inventory of medicines and supplies commonly needed by health providers during wildfires.

Among items often requested are respiratory medications, chronic disease management medicines for conditions, including diabetes, eye drops, protective gear, including N95 respirators, and more.

The organization will continue to respond to specific medical requests.

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