CLINCH COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — The Pineland Road Fire has grown to 8,911 acres and remains 10% contained as of Tuesday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center and local emergency officials.

The fire started just before 5 p.m. Saturday and has spread rapidly due to extreme drought conditions. Crews with the Georgia Forestry Commission continue working around the clock to contain the blaze, which has crossed toward the Suwannochee River near the Clinch and Echols County line.

Steven Spradley, a liaison and information officer with the Georgia Incident Management Team, said the fire made a significant run Monday night and was actively running Tuesday, meaning the acreage will be updated once more accurate mapping is available.

“We’ve had firefighters on this fire 24 hours a day since it began this weekend,” Spradley said. “The last few nights, we’ve been experiencing extreme fire behavior as if it was the daytime in the middle of the night.”

Residents urged to prepare for possible evacuation

Emergency officials said 29 residences in the area have been notified about potential evacuations, though no mandatory evacuation orders have been issued. Residents near Colon, between Headlight Road and Tiger Lake Road along Highway 441, should be prepared to evacuate if instructed.

Clinch County EMA Director Andrew Nelson said changing winds could quickly shift conditions.

Spradley said evacuations would be coordinated with emergency management and the sheriff’s department if fire behavior reaches a point where the public needs to be moved from the fire’s path.

Extreme drought fueling rapid fire spread

Over 98% of Georgia is currently experiencing drought conditions, officials said. The drought index, which ranges from zero to 800, is in the 600 to 700 range in the affected area.

“The only thing that’s really going to slow down the conditions we’re experiencing in South Georgia is rain,” Spradley said. “We’ve not had any rain in the area, substantial rain for quite some time.”

Scott Griffin, president and CEO of Superior Pine Products Company, said his company is one of several contractors working with the Georgia Forestry Commission to fight the fire. Griffin, a forester with more than 40 years of experience, said the current conditions are creating an extremely difficult firefighting environment.

“When a fire gets of this scale, it’s extremely difficult,” Griffin said. “It’s jumping the fire lanes and spotting. And the firefighters are working around the clock, trying to control it.”

Griffin said fires of this size can create their own weather and wind patterns, making containment even more challenging.

Firefighting efforts continue with multiple resources

The Georgia Forestry Commission has deployed more than 40 units of equipment and over 70 personnel to fight the fire. Crews are operating in day and night shifts, using bulldozers with fire plows to cut fire breaks ahead of the flames.

Two Type 1 Chinook helicopters are assisting with water drops where possible.

Spradley said the fire has been spotting a quarter to a half mile ahead of the main fire line, creating new fires that require additional fire breaks.

Griffin said his company works as part of the Greater Okefenokee Association of Landowners, which coordinates with state and federal agencies to fight wildfires. He said cooperators work together regardless of whose property is affected.

“If it’s on this neighbor’s property, we’re there helping them,” Griffin said. “And when it’s on our property, they’re there helping us.”

Public urged to avoid fire zone, follow safety guidelines

Officials are asking people to stay away from the fire zone unless travel is necessary. The Georgia Forestry Commission said extra traffic and onlookers create safety risks and can slow emergency crews, aircraft and equipment.

Flying drones over or near the wildfire is illegal and dangerous, officials said. If a drone is spotted, firefighting aircraft may be forced to stop operations, delaying suppression efforts.

Nelson urged residents not to burn yard debris, start outdoor fires or mow lawns after 10 a.m. during current conditions.

Spradley said normal day-to-day activities can start wildfires in these drought conditions, including parking on the side of the highway where a hot muffler could ignite dry grass, or cigarettes thrown from vehicles.

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville said low humidity and breezy winds are creating dangerous fire weather conditions across the region.

How to help

If you would like to help, donations to fire fighters are being accepted at the Homerville Forestry Unit and Lanier Family Connection Lee Hardware. For more information about donations, contact Lottie Squires at 229-563-4511.

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