Fighting fire with fire: Crews set strategic burns as wildfire threatens homes in south Georgia

ECHOLS COUNTY, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Firefighters battling the Pineland Road Fire in south Georgia pushed strategic “backburns” inside the evacuation zone as the wildfire grew to 32,569 acres and remained 23% contained, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.

The fire continued to challenge crews across Clinch and Echols counties with active fire behavior, the agency said in its Wednesday update.

Mandatory evacuations remained in effect in Echols County, and 187 residences and 123 other minor structures were threatened within 72 hours, particularly around Fruitland and Bamberg, the Georgia Forestry Commission said.

Officials reported no injuries.

With permission from the Georgia Forestry Commission, Atlanta News First went inside the evacuation zone and up to the fire line.

What looked like the fire spreading was part of the firefighting plan.

Crews were carrying out what officials call a “strategic firing operation,” a controlled burn designed to remove dry brush and other fuel ahead of the main fire, especially in areas too dangerous for heavy equipment.

Georgia Forestry Commission Spokesman Don Thomas said the goal was to widen blackened buffer zones and prevent hidden heat deep in bogs from reigniting weeks or months later — a problem that can linger even when flames are not visible. Thomas said crews adjusted tactics based on weather and fuel conditions and emphasized that firefighters worked to make areas “cold to the touch” before considering them safe.

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Thomas said crews ultimately needed significant rainfall to change conditions.

“A tropical depression that dumps about 10 to 15 inches of rain in a two or three-day period,” he said, describing what he called “rain with a name.”

Crews were building, reinforcing and securing containment lines along Highway 94 to the north, U.S. 441 to the west, Thelma Headlight Road to the south, and Will Rewis Road to the east, the Georgia Forestry Commission said.

According to the Wednesday update, the Pineland Road Fire had 218 personnel and 69 resources assigned, including engines, heavy equipment, and overhead support, backed by state, federal, and cooperating partners, the agency said.

Officials said the fire started when a stray spark from a welding operation fell to the forest floor and ignited surrounding vegetation.

Residents also stepped in to help.

Rob Fitzgerald said he moved quickly when he learned the fire was spreading, fueling up his semi and loading water to take toward the smoke.

“I was a little scared. Ain’t gonna lie,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald said he had seen fire’s impact before, recalling his grandparents’ home burning.

“You lost it all like that,” he said.

Weather conditions were expected to remain challenging. Winds were from the east-northeast at 4 to 7 mph with gusts up to 10 to 13 mph, and afternoon humidity was expected to drop to around 30% under partly cloudy skies, the Georgia Forestry Commission said. Shower and thunderstorm chances were expected to increase on Thursday ahead of a cold front.

Smoke impacts were expected in Valdosta, Homerville and Fargo, the agency said.

Clinch and Echols counties also implemented road closures.

In Echols County: Pineland Road, Gopher Lope Road, Register, Worth Lane, Joes Lane, Will Rewis Road, New Barnes Road, Gaddis Road, King Road, Jesse Lane, May Lane, Chauncey Road and Hendley Road.

In Clinch County: Colon Road, Mud Camp Road, Mattox Ford Road and Headlight Road.

Crews continued working around the clock and officials warned conditions could change quickly with wind and low humidity. The Georgia Forestry Commission urged the public to follow restrictions — including the flight ban — to keep aircraft and firefighters focused on containment efforts.