MANOR, Ga. (WALB) - What started as a single spark has turned into one of the largest wildfires burning in South Georgia, but firefighters say strategy, timing, and teamwork are helping them stay ahead of the flames.

In a statewide update, GFC said the fire has grown to 32,569 acres and is 23% contained. Fuel and weather conditions are creating a “extreme fire environment, putting responders at risk.” Those weather challenges include low humidity, drought, and winds.

Risks to responders are higher when dealing with spot fires that move quickly.

A Strategic Fight Against the Flames

On the fire line, what may seem counterintuitive is actually part of the solution.

Firefighters are using what’s called a “strategic firing operation,” intentionally burning areas under controlled conditions to stop the wildfire from spreading further.

Don Thomas, Public Information Officer for the Georgia Incident Management Team, says timing is everything.

“We’re being very deliberate and very intentional using humidity… we’re doing it in the morning so the fire won’t get as hot and we have more margin of error,” Thomas said.

By burning vegetation in a controlled way, crews remove fuel that the wildfire would otherwise consume.

That includes hard-to-reach areas like bogs, where fire can smolder underground and reignite days later.

“If we left it alone… and that fire comes out on the right day with the right wind, then we have another wildfire,” Thomas explained.

What “Containment” Really Means

Officials say containment numbers can be misleading.

Even if fire lines surround most of the blaze, crews only count areas as “contained” once they are completely cooled.

“There’s 23% of the fire that is cold… that we say this fire’s not going anywhere,” Thomas said.

Firefighters won’t call it fully contained until every hotspot is out — even deep underground.

Crews from across the country are working day and night, often with little rest.

“They’re tired… but they get up and go at it at night or day,” Thomas said. “I’m very proud of our guys.”

So far, officials say there have been no injuries reported, a milestone they credit to careful planning and safety.

For many firefighters, this work is personal.

Heather Rossi, who traveled from Kansas to help, says her motivation comes from her own past.

“I lost my home to a fire… and I had amazing support from my community. To be able to be that support for other communities is incredibly fulfilling,” Rossi said.

GFC reported 218 personnel 69 resources including engines, equipment, and overhead supported by state, federal, and cooperating agencies have been deployed.

The Albany Fire Department posted Wednesday that they are one of many agencies from Southwest Georgia now assisting.

The GFC released the following statement about the sacrifice of first responders in Clinch and Echols counties, as well as those assisting in other fires across the state:

We appreciate the continued work of firefighters, first responders, and partners across the state—and the support of Georgians doing their part to stay safe and prevent additional fires. Every call, every acre, and every response matters—and so does prevention.

What’s Next

While no lives have been lost, at least one home has been destroyed, and many families remain on edge as conditions continue to shift.

Residents say one wrong wind change could put entire neighborhoods at risk.

Firefighters say the work is far from over.

Even after flames die down, crews will continue “mop-up” operations — digging, soaking, and turning over soil until every inch of the fire zone is cool to the touch.

Firefighters on the ground say while rain is in the forecast soon, it would take 10 to 15 inches of rain to stop the fire’s spread.

Until then, crews remain focused on one goal: keeping the fire in its footprint and protecting the communities in its path.

Stay with WALB News 10 for updates.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.