A minimum of 54 structures have been destroyed as a result of at least 100 wildfires in Georgia and at least 130 wildfires in Florida in April of 2026 that have been burning out of control, as greater than 35,000 acres have already burned in Georgia and greater than 25,000 acres have already burned in Florida — and hundreds of people have been ordered to evacuate areas which are considered to be extremely dangerous.
Wildfires in Georgia and Florida: April 2026 Travel Alert
A mandatory ban on burning outdoors has been issued to at least 91 counties in Georgia and 43 counties in Florida due to dry conditions as the result of a drought that is considered to be extreme in some areas of the two states.
“Fully 98% of Georgia’s total land area is currently in moderate to exceptional drought conditions”, according to the official Internet web site of the Georgia Forestry Commission. “The number of wildfires statewide in April has also now risen above Georgia’s five-year average.”
Brian P. Kemp — who is the current governor of Georgia — officially issued a state of emergency for 91 counties in the state yesterday, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. “The State of Emergency allows for the Georgia Department of Defense to mobilize Georgia National Guard troops and resources for response and recovery efforts. Air assets and Guardsmen are being activated and deployed to the affected areas. Among other provisions, the State of Emergency order also prohibits price gouging.”
Alerts for severe smoke and air quality are in effect for northeastern Florida and the coast of Georgia. Thick smoke from the wildfires could be seen as far away as Atlanta.
A state of emergency has also been issued in Alachua County in Florida.
Final Boarding Call
If you are traveling to, from, or within portions of Georgia and Florida over the next several days or so, delays and cancellations of flights could occur even though no travel waivers have officially been issued by any of the airlines. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to the wildfires which may adversely affect your travel plans.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected.
If you are traveling by motor vehicle, roads could potentially be temporarily closed due to smoke and fire.
Just be sure to please travel safely.
Photograph ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
