Volunteer firefighter dies during Nassau County brush fire response
Volunteer firefighter dies from medical emergency battling Nassau County brush fire.
Event / Disaster
Southeastern US Wildfires April 2026
Major wildfire outbreak across Georgia and Florida in April 2026, with the Highway 82 Fire destroying 87 homes (a state record for a single fire) and a second fire in Clinch and Echols counties destroying 35 homes. Over 150 active wildfires burned across both states, driven by drought, winds, climate change, and hurricane debris. One volunteer firefighter died while suppressing a brush fire in Florida.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 26 Apr, 01:06 UTC
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What happened
Volunteer firefighter dies from medical emergency while battling brush fire in Florida
Nassau County Sheriff's Office volunteer firefighter James 'Kevin' Crews died on Thursday evening after suffering an unspecified medical emergency while suppressing a brush fire in northern Florida.
Second wildfire in southeastern Georgia burns 46.9 square miles, destroys 35 homes
A second major wildfire in Clinch and Echols counties near the Florida state line has burned more than 46.9 square miles and destroyed at least 35 homes. The fire was started by sparks from a welding operation and was approximately 10% contained as of Saturday midday.
Brantley County officials warn of rapid fire spread due to incoming strong winds
Brantley County Manager Joey Cason characterized the wildfire situation as 'dynamic' and urged residents to evacuate if ordered to do so, warning that the fire would move rapidly once strong winds arrived later on Saturday.
Over 150 wildfires burning across Georgia and Florida in spring surge
Firefighters have been battling more than 150 wildfires in Georgia and Florida, with smoke from the fires triggering air quality warnings in various cities. An unusually large number of wildfires are burning this spring across the Southeast, a phenomenon scientists attribute to extreme drought, gusty winds, climate change, and dead trees remaining from Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Highway 82 Fire in Georgia destroys 87 homes, largest single wildfire in state history
The Highway 82 Fire has been burning since Monday in southeastern Georgia and has destroyed at least 87 homes, making it the most destructive single wildfire in Georgia's history according to Governor Brian Kemp. The fire was started when a foil balloon struck live power lines, creating an electrical arc that ignited combustible material on the ground. As of Saturday, the fire's perimeter exceeded 14.8 square miles with only about 10% containment.
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2 alternative perspectives
Record-Breaking Wildfire Surge Sweeps Across Southeastern States
Record wildfires destroy 122 homes across Georgia amid over 150 active fires in the Southeast.