Georgia declares state of emergency as wildfires destroy dozens of homes

Georgia declares state of emergency as wildfires destroy dozens of homes7 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKayla EpsteinGeorgia Forestry CommissionFirefighters with the Georgia Forestry Commission survey the Pineland Road FireWildfires in Georgia have burned more than 39,500 acres and destroyed more than 120 homes, officials have said.Two major fires in the southeast of the state – the Pineland Road Fire and the Highway 82 fire – prompted Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to declare a 30-day state of emergency in 91 of the state's 159 counties."Right now conditions are so dry that even one small spark can quickly turn into a dangerous wildfire," Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo said in a video statement. Emergency officials are also battling a range of smaller blazes, reporting 32 new wildfires that consumed 50 acres on Saturday.Hundreds of wildfires burn across Florida and Georgia"We are in extreme drought conditions, and wildfire activity has already surpassed our five year average," Sabo added. The fires began sprouting up on 18 April, and Kemp declared a state of emergency four days later.A foil balloon that came into contact with a power line is believed to have sparked the Highway 82 fire, which has consumed about 7,500 acres so far, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). The blaze was about 10% contained, they said.A stray spark from a welding operation is believed to be the source of the Pineland Road Fire which has scorched 32,000 acres, the GFC said.In an update posted online on Friday, officials said at least 35 "minor structures" had been lost in Pineland fire and 187 homes remained threatened.Ninety-one counties in the state have been placed under an outdoor burn ban, which prohibits the burning of rubbish and agricultural materials.The Dudek family watched the flames reach their property line as they started to gather belongings, they told CBS News, the BBC's US media partner.A...