04/28/2026
PINELAND ROAD FIRE UPDATE — The Pineland Road Fire has grown to 32,541 acres with 23% containment as of the April 27 operational period. Active fire behavior including wind-driven runs, spotting, and flanking continues to challenge firefighters in Clinch and Echols Counties. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect in Echols County, with 140 civilians evacuated to date.
CURRENT SITUATION
Crews are working around the clock building, reinforcing, and securing containment lines along Highway 94 to the north, U.S. Highway 441 to the west, Thelma Headlight Road to the south, and Will Rewis Road to the east.
A total of 165 personnel and 55 resources — including engines, heavy equipment, and overhead support — are currently assigned to the incident, supported by state, federal, and cooperating partners.
FIRE BEHAVIOR
Observed behavior: Active with wind-driven runs, spotting, and flanking.
Fuel and weather conditions are creating an extreme fire environment. The combination of critically low humidity (mid 0% range), a high KBDI (approaching 700), and exceptional D4 drought conditions are contributing to high resistance to control. Risks to responders increase when going direct due to spotting and fire moving quickly under wind and fuel-driven conditions.
WEATHER & CONDITIONS
Low clouds lingered through mid-afternoon before skies rapidly cleared, keeping temperatures near to slightly below normal. Winds were from the east-northeast at 4–7 mph with gusts to 10–13 mph. Excellent humidity recovery is expected overnight.
Above normal temperatures return Tuesday and continue into Wednesday. Afternoon humidity will drop to around 30% under partly cloudy skies. Light southeast winds Tuesday will shift southwest Wednesday with breezy conditions developing. Shower and thunderstorm chances increase Thursday ahead of a cold front.
EVACUATIONS & PUBLIC SAFETY
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS IN EFFECT — ECHOLS COUNTY
• Mandatory evacuations are currently in place in Echols County. A total of 140 civilians have been evacuated.
• Structures including residences and recreational camps are threatened particularly around the communities of Fruitland and Bamberg.
• Civilian injuries: 0 | Responder injuries: 0
For your safety:
• Stay clear of the fire area and follow all instructions from local officials.
• Use caution — heavy emergency vehicle traffic on area roads.
Road Closures:
• Echols County: Pineland Rd, Gopher Lope Rd, Register, Worth Ln, Joes Ln, Will Rewis Rd, New Barnes Rd, Gaddis Rd, King Rd, Jesse Ln, May Ln, Chauncey Rd, Hendley Rd
• Clinch County: Colon Rd, Mud Camp Rd, Mattox Ford Rd, Headlight Rd
THREATS & IMPACTS
Structures at risk (within 72 hours):
• 187 single residences and 123 other minor structures threatened
• Residences, outbuildings, hunting camps, commercial timber, and commercial bee operations — particularly around Fruitland and Bamberg
• 1 structure destroyed to date
Infrastructure and land impacts:
• Critical infrastructure threatened, including transportation corridors, utilities, transmission lines, and railroad lines
• Widespread damage to industrial timber production has already occurred and additional damage is imminent
Smoke impacts expected in: Valdosta, Homerville, and Fargo