Brantley fire reaches 75% containment, residents begin to return

Brantley County fire reportedly 75% contained

Brantley County residents are returning to their neighborhoods this week to survey the damage from the most destructive wildfire in Georgia’s history.

CLINCH COUNTY, Ga. - Fire crews in South Georgia are making progress battling two large wildfires after a weekend of rain and cooler temperatures.

What we know:

The Highway 82 Fire, Georgia’s most destructive wildfire in history, reached 75% containment Monday as Brantley County residents finally began returning to their homes.

Crews have made progress in Brantley County after two weeks of relentless firefighting. The fire destroyed at least 110 structures and burned more than 22,000 acres of land.

Evacuation orders and curfews are now lifted, and local schools have started to reopen. However, more than 600 firefighters remain on the scene to manage smoldering spots and prevent flare-ups as the state’s most destructive fire ever continues to smolder.

Dig deeper:

The Highway 82 fire is the most destructive in state history, but it is not the only blaze in the region. In nearby Clinch County, the Pineland Road fire continues to burn across 32,000 acres and is currently 44% contained.

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet determined exactly when the fire will be 100% extinguished given the unfavorable weather forecast. While flames are no longer racing through trees, it is unclear how many underground hot spots remain active or how long the drought will persist.

What they're saying:

"We are in the mop-up phases right now, but the temperatures are starting to get hot again. We don't have any wind at the moment, but the humidities are going down, so we expect that these smoldering spots are going to start smoking," said Karen Miranda-Gleason, a spokesperson working the fire. "The weather conditions going into this week are not favorable for firefighting, in fact, they're conditions that a wildfire really loves to burn under. So, we are still really in high fire danger."

What's next:

Despite the improvements, the fires have already burned tens of thousands of acres.

Authorities caution that with warmer temperatures expected and a lower chance of rain in the coming days, conditions could worsen and allow the fires to continue spreading.

A mandatory burn ban is still in effect for 91 counties in the lower part of the state.