VIDEO: A dangerous wildfire in southeast Georgia is continuing to burn out of control, destroying homes and forcing families to evacuate in Brantley County.
The Highway 82 Fire is burning about 5,000 acres and has destroyed more than 50 homes.
No deaths have been reported, but the fire remains only 10% contained, according to the latest update from officials.
“I will be very honest with you,” Brantley County Manager Joey Cason said. “It’s a miracle that we have not had any lives lost.”
Huge plumes of smoke are blanketing the area as wind-fueled flames consume brush and trees left dry from the ongoing drought.
The bottom half of Georgia is perilously dry, prompting the state’s forestry commission to issue a burn ban for the first time in its history.
Georgia has seen just 11 inches of rain since the beginning of September — almost 15 inches below normal, the National Weather Service said.
The conditions are making firefighting efforts difficult, and officials continue to warn that the situation could change quickly, so everyone needs to be prepared for possible evacuations.
