Highway 82 Fire Morning Update Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:30 a.m.
Overview: The Highway 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.
The fire is 22,600 acres and 32% contained.
Resources:
470 Personnel
4 Type 1 Helicopters
1 Type 3 helicopter
4 crews
25 Type 1 engines
1 Type 3 engine
3 Type 4 engines
12 Type 6 engines
5 Tractor Plows
17 Dozers
Operations: South of Hwy 82, a dozer has been added to tear berms down from the edges of the containment lines to expose heat for firefighters to extinguish. Equipment is also putting in alternate lines around the southern edge further from the fire footprint to reinforce containment. An unmanned aerial system (UAS) crew will be using a drone along Browntown road to identify heat signatures close to structures and containment lines. Equipment and crews are also establishing additional containment lines to the east between Browntown road and Post road. Crews are extinguishing hot spots south of Hwy 32, east of Browntown road. Crews are identifying and removing trees that may pose a hazard to roadways, structures and containment lines. Equipment is continuing to work on establishing and improving alternate and contingency lines while continuing to reinforce the primary line north and east of Hwy 32. Further north, fire managers are developing a plan for contingency and emergency containment lines and continuing structure protection efforts. To the northwest of Hwy 32, crews are installing and improving alternate and contingency lines. They are also installing new lines behind homes along the SR 110 corridor to the south of Hwy 32. Crews are conducting heavy mop up in the bay vegetation along Fendig road and are working with the power company to mitigate public, firefighter and infrastructure risk in a bay area along SR 110 corridor due to hazard trees.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Today is expected to be the driest and most unstable day of the week with humidity minimums near 35%. Winds will also increase from the southwest and become gusty, with sustained winds from 8-14 gusting up to 24 mph. There is a chance of showers today with a better opportunity for showers and thunderstorms late tonight and Thursday.
The drying today along with wind and instability will increase the fire behavior. Smoldering will increase, showing hidden pockets of heat. Single tree torching will return when the clouds and sky clear. Needles and leaves are starting to fall from fire affected trees. When these leaves and needle hit the ground, there is a potential for reburn.
Evacuation Area: For Brantley county evacuations, visit 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 Wanye County Emergency Management Facebook and for evacuations in Glynn County, visit 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 (dogs/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 available at Nahunta Methodist Church and Southside Baptist Church. Pets are only permitted at the Red Cross Shelter in Brunswick.
Donations: For affected community members, Brantley Gas, 114 Satilla Ave, Nahunta is accepting donations to include new or gently used clothing, hangers, hygiene items, and empty totes with lids. H & S Haulers, 125 Industrial Park, Nahunta is accepting nonperishable items and pet food. Brantley County Family Connections, 10305 Main Street, Nahunta is also accepting donations.
Safety: Brantley County mandatory curfew from 8:30 P.M. to 6:30 A.M. 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 the smoke and fog conditions along roadways to maintain public safety along the highway. There is the potential for intermittent closures of Hwy 82 and Hwy 110 if visibility conditions deteriorate. 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.
There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the fire area to avoid conflict between personal aircraft and firefighting efforts. This includes all recreational and professional unmanned aircraft (drones). If you fly, we can’t.