Trending Now - Atlanta Faces Haze as South Georgia Wildfires Rage on

WHO:

USA Today - Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team.

CBS News - Governor Brian Kemp is expected to survey the damage from the Brantley County wildfire.

WHAT:

USA Today - Smoke from wildfires in South Georgia and Florida has reached the Atlanta metro area, prompting air quality warnings.

USA Today - The largest fire in Georgia, located in Clinch County near Valdosta, has burned nearly 30,000 acres and is largely unconfined.

CBS News - The Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County has grown to nearly 29,606 acres and is about 10% contained.

CBS News - The Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County has burned more than 4,400 acres and is roughly 15% contained.

CBS News - The Brantley County fire has damaged at least 54 structures.

CBS News - A state of emergency has been declared for 91 Georgia counties.

CBS News - Crews responded to 34 new wildfires on April 20th, 2026, that burned about 75 acres statewide.

WHERE:

USA Today - The smoke has affected the Atlanta metro area and is expected to reach north Georgia.

USA Today - The largest fire is in Clinch County, Georgia, near Valdosta, just north of the Georgia-Florida line.

CBS News - The Highway 82 Fire is located in Brantley County, Georgia, affecting communities near the Satilla River and several state highways.

WHEN:

USA Today - Air quality warnings were issued for Atlanta counties on April 23rd, 2026.

CBS News - The fires have been burning out of control throughout the week of April 20th, 2026.

CBS News - Governor Kemp is expected to survey the damage on April 24th, 2026.

WHY:

USA Today - A drought in the region is worsening fire conditions, leading to a burn ban across much of the state.

CBS News - Dry conditions, high winds, and a lack of rain are making the fires harder to control and increasing the risk of new fires.

HOW:

USA Today - The smoke is being carried northward by a high-pressure system and southerly winds.

CBS News - At least 16 agencies are working around the clock to contain the Brantley County fire.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 05:52 UTC)

Smoke from wildfires in South Georgia and Florida has reached the Atlanta metro area, prompting air quality warnings issued on Thursday, and a state of emergency has been declared for 91 Georgia counties. The largest fire, known as the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County, has burned nearly 29,606 acres and is about 10% contained, while the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County has affected over 4,400 acres and damaged at least 54 structures. Governor Brian Kemp is expected to survey the damage from the Brantley County wildfire on Friday, as crews continue to battle the flames amid worsening drought conditions and high winds.