APRIL 30, 9:00 PM UPDATE - Highway 82 Fire Information

Fire Update

Highway 82 Fire Evening Update

Thursday, April 30, 2026
8:30 p.m.

This will be the last evening update for the Hwy 82 Fire. Daily updates will continue to be distributed each morning around 10:30 a.m.

Overview

The Hwy 82 fire is located in Brantley County, Georgia and is impacting the communities of Atkinson and Waynesville. The fire began on Monday, April 20th. The entire state of Georgia is in a drought, with Brantley County being in an exceptional drought. Due to these drought conditions and hot and dry weather, this fire continues to be a dynamic, changing situation, challenging firefighting efforts.

Resources

• 632 Personnel
• 4 Type 1 Helicopters
• 1 Type 3 Helicopter
• 3 Type 1 Crews
• 5 Type 2 IA Crews
• 1 Camp Crew
• 2 Ambulances
• 8 Type 1 Engines
• 1 Type 3 Engine
• 1 Type 4 Engine
• 41 Type 6 Engines
• 19 Tractor Plows
• 29 Dozers
• 18 Water Tenders

Operations

Crews continue to be successful in installing additional contingency lines around structures north of Hwy 32 through Ten Mile Road and west to Mount Pleasant Road. Contingency lines were also installed south of Hwy 82 and east from Boots Harrison Road to Post Road.

North of Hwy 32, firefighters worked with biologists to identify an endangered plant species located on state land to prevent unintentional “take” of this endangered species. Another Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was deployed across the entire fire footprint north of Highway 82 to detect heat signatures.

Crews continued mop up operations in areas where heat signatures were found by digging out burning material such as roots, stumps, and organic soil, and applying water and stirring so heat can dissipate.

More smoke was seen today in bay vegetation due to hot and dry conditions, extended long-term drought, and lack of forecasted rain for the day. Interior bay areas produced significant smoke but did not threaten containment.

Georgia Forestry Commission tractor plows and engines, as well as air attack, supported firefighting efforts on a new fire start north of the Hwy 82 Fire in Wayne County. The new start is contained and being mopped up with engines as of this report. The reported size is approximately 40 acres.

Weather and Fire Behavior

High temperatures reached 86 degrees and humidity dropped to around 40% this afternoon. Fire activity increased in the afternoon, particularly in the bay vegetation, due to higher temperatures and no precipitation as forecast.

Evacuation Area

For Brantley County evacuations, visit the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page or call the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office at 912-674-5878 or 912-674-0195.

For evacuations in Wayne County, visit Wayne County Emergency Management Facebook. For evacuations in Glynn County, visit the Glynn County Board of Commissioners Facebook Page.

Community Support

The American Red Cross shelter in Brunswick, located at 100 Genoa Martin Drive at the Selden Park Complex, is open for evacuees and will also be providing an air-conditioned mobile unit to house small pets, including dogs and cats, in crates inside the unit. Bedding and crates can be provided.

Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS for more information and to communicate the unmet needs of your family or community so assistance can go where it is needed most.

Georgia Department of Agriculture has designated locations identified on their website for large animals. Local day shelters are available at Nahunta Methodist Church and Southside Baptist Church. Pets are only permitted at the Red Cross Shelter in Brunswick.

Donations

• Brantley Gas, 114 Satilla Ave, Nahunta — accepting new or gently used clothing, hangers, hygiene items, and empty totes with lids.
• H & S Haulers, 125 Industrial Park, Nahunta — accepting nonperishable items and pet food.
• Brantley County Family Connections, 10305 Main Street, Nahunta — accepting donations.

Safety

Brantley County mandatory curfew from 8:30 PM to 6:30 PM will remain in effect through the duration of this incident. There is a burn ban in place for all counties in south Georgia.

Although there was rain over the fire area, the entire region is still in a drought and all residents are asked to continue to follow the burn ban in place.

Closures

Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia State Patrol are closely monitoring smoke and fog conditions along roadways to maintain public safety along the highway. Additionally, there are a significant number of road closures around the fire impacted area. Please heed all road closure barricades and direction from law enforcement on scene.

Media

All media are required to follow all road closures and are restricted from evacuated areas. Please heed all instructions from local law enforcement and respect the magnitude of loss in this community during this ongoing wildfire situation.

Source: Highway82 Fire Information