ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia fire officials responded to 15 new wildfires statewide, the Georgia Forestry Commission said over the weekend.

The new wildfires don’t include the Pineland Road Fire or the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, the commission said in an update on Saturday.

Fire officials said that the strong winds have been spreading the Georgia wildfires even as crews work feverishly to contain them.

With no significant rain in the forecast in the active fire area, residents are asked to adhere to the following safety procedures:

• Follow guidance from local officials, who are looking out for your safety.
• Stay away if you don’t need to be in or near the fires.
• Do not fly drones near the active fire area. Doing so is illegal, the forestry commission says.
• Be careful when driving around smokey areas.

“We know these fires are impacting communities across Georgia, and we are thinking of those facing uncertainty and loss,” the forestry commission said in a statement on Saturday.

The Pineland Road and Highway 82 fires have burned around 53,000 acres combined in southeast Georgia, officials said.

Where are the Georgia wildfires?

The Georgia wildfires are roughly 200+ miles southeast of Atlanta, or several hundred miles south/southeast depending on the exact spot.

The largest fires include:

• The Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County (with impacts extending toward Echols County near the Florida border) — this has burned over 32,003 acres and remains only about 10% contained.
• The Highway 82 Fire (also called the Brantley County or Brantley Highway 82 Fire) in Brantley County — this has burned around 20,933 acres, destroyed dozens of homes, and prompted evacuations and school closures.

These blazes are concentrated in the southeastern part of the state, near the Georgia-Florida line, in rural timberland and pine areas. Smaller wildfires have also occurred elsewhere in south and central Georgia, but the biggest and most destructive ones are in these southeast counties.

Red Cross opens third shelter

The Red Cross announced Sunday that it has opened its shelter -- this one in Jesup -- to provide housing and support to Georgia wildfire evacuees. Here are where the shelters are located:

Unity Church of God

• 1580 Sunset Blvd | Jesup, GA 31545

Selden Park

• 100 Genoa Martin Drive | Brunswick, GA 31520

Venture of Faith Camp

• 1309 Highway 135 South | Lake Park, GA 31636

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