MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- The Georgia Forestry Commission has issued a temporary burn ban for 91 counties as wildfire risks increase across the state.

The order cites drought conditions and an unusually large number of active wildfires, many of which officials say started from outdoor burning.

Officials said Georgia’s drought is worsening, with 98% of the state now in moderate to exceptional drought conditions. The order also cites an unusually large number of active wildfires, many of which started from outdoor burning.

“We need everyone to take this situation seriously,” said Georgia State Forester and GFC Director Johnny Sabo. “GFC’s wildland firefighters are responding daily to a near-record number of wildfires. It’s critical to remember that just one spark or ember can ignite a life-threatening wildfire.”

“This is the first time in the agency’s history that a mandatory ban on outdoor burning has been issued,” officials said.

Middle Georgia counties affected

The burn ban includes counties in Middle and South Georgia, including the following in the 41NBC coverage area: Bibb, Bleckley, Crawford, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Johnson, Laurens, Macon, Peach, Pulaski, Taylor, Telfair, Treutlen, Twiggs, Washington, Wheeler, Wilcox, and Wilkinson.

What the burn ban covers

The ban applies to the burning of woods, lands, marshes, refuse, and other combustible materials. It includes prescribed burns, agricultural burns, and the burning of yard debris.

Officials said no permits for burning will be issued in the affected counties during the duration of the order.

According to the order, current conditions have made outdoor burning unusually hazardous. Officials said the ban is necessary to protect life and property.

State leaders urge compliance

Governor Brian Kemp said the state is working to address the impact of the drought and wildfires.

“Georgia Forestry responders are working hard to battle the wildfires caused by these dry conditions, and I’m encouraging all Georgians to do their part in helping them by adhering to this burn ban,” Kemp said.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper said the drought is putting agriculture and forestry at significant risk and urged residents to follow the ban.

The order took effect today and will remain in place for 30 days, expiring May 22 at 11:59 p.m., unless extended.

Officials said little chance of rain is expected in the coming days, and the Georgia Forestry Commission will continue working with state and local agencies to respond to wildfires and drought conditions.

Wildfires across Georgia and Florida have destroyed nearly 50 homes and are forcing evacuations

By RUSS BYNUM and JEFF MARTIN

NAHUNTA, Ga. (AP) — Wildfires burning across the southeastern U.S. were intensifying quickly Wednesday after destroying nearly 50 homes in southeastern Georgia and forcing evacuations and school closures in some communities.

Some of the biggest blazes were along Georgia’s coast and between and around Jacksonville, Florida, a state that is facing one of its worst fire seasons in decades. It was not yet clear how the wildfires started, but a long drought, low humidity and strong winds were fueling them.

Georgia’s two biggest wildfires together have burned more than 31 square miles (80 square kilometers), and at least four other smaller fires have been reported in the state.

Brantley County fire threatens homes

In southeast Georgia, the fast-moving Brantley County fire was threatening more homes Wednesday after destroying 47 a day earlier, according to Joey Cason, the county manager.

“There were literally evacuations that were taking place with people removed by our EMS service from the porch as the fire was in their backyard,” Cason told WJAX-TV.

At least 800 evacuations have taken place in the county and five shelters have opened, as the fire threatens 300 more homes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said.

Additional fires prompt evacuations

Another large fire that started in Clinch County had also forced evacuations, which were underway in multiple communities, the Georgia Forestry Association said. “This is a serious and evolving situation,” said Tim Lowrimore, president & CEO of the association.

In Florida, firefighters on Wednesday were battling 131 wildfires that had burned 34 square miles (88 square kilometers), mostly in the state’s northern half.

Firefighting equipment was being staged across the state so resources are closer to the fires, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said.

“Florida has got one of the worst fire seasons in maybe the last 30 or 40 years or it’s turning out to be that way,” Simpson said. “We’ve been in drought for 18 months now all across the state.”

A wildfire disrupted Amtrak train service Monday in the northeast part of the state. Service was back to normal Wednesday, according to Amtrak spokeswoman Beth Toll.

Fire danger remains high

A dangerous combination of low humidity and breezy winds will keep the fire danger elevated Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

Smoke drifted to Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah in Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida. Some areas closer to the fires were seeing air quality warnings.

The high fire risk was expected to continue each afternoon through Friday due to the very dry conditions, the weather service said.