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Georgia’s Deadliest Fire Destroys 87 Homes, Triggers State Emergency

4/29/2026

49 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Highway 82 blaze, ignited by a foil balloon, became Georgia’s deadliest fire, destroying at least 87 homes.
Governor Brian Kemp declared a state emergency as winds, a drought and the fires burned over 53,000 acres, with containment below 35%.
The Georgia Forestry Commission opened Red Cross shelters in Jesup, Brunswick and Lake Park, while the National Guard flew 150 hours, dropped half a million gallons of water and coordinated 95 requests.

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Story summary

The Highway 82 blaze, ignited by a foil balloon, became Georgia’s deadliest fire, destroying at least 87 homes.
Governor Brian Kemp declared a state emergency as winds, a drought and the fires burned over 53,000 acres, with containment below 35%.
The Georgia Forestry Commission opened Red Cross shelters in Jesup, Brunswick and Lake Park, while the National Guard flew 150 hours, dropped half a million gallons of water and coordinated 95 requests.