Wildfires continued to spread across parts of the southeastern United States on Wednesday, destroying homes in Georgia and forcing evacuations as dry conditions and strong winds fueled rapid fire growth.

In southeastern Georgia, officials confirmed that 47 homes were destroyed in a fast-moving blaze in Brantley County. County Manager Joey Cason said some residents were evacuated with little warning as flames advanced into residential areas.

“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 local media.

Evacuations were ordered in multiple nearby communities as firefighters worked to contain several active blazes. Officials with the Georgia Forestry Association described the situation as “serious and evolving,” warning that conditions remained highly volatile.

Fires were also burning across parts of northern Florida, where state officials said drought conditions and low humidity have contributed to one of the most active fire seasons in decades. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said firefighting resources have been repositioned across the state to respond more quickly as new fires emerge.

“We’ve been in drought for 18 months now all across the state,” Simpson said, noting that persistent dry conditions have significantly increased wildfire risk.

Smoke from the fires spread across parts of Georgia and Florida, including Atlanta, Savannah, and Jacksonville, triggering air quality alerts in some areas. The National Weather Service warned that low humidity and gusty winds would continue to elevate fire danger through the end of the week.

While some disruptions, including temporary impacts to transportation routes such as Amtrak service in northeast Florida, have stabilized, officials warned that fire conditions remain dangerous and may worsen during afternoon hours when temperatures and winds peak.