Wildfires have destroyed nearly 50 homes in southern Georgia and prompted evacuations across the Southeast, officials said Wednesday. More than 27,000 acres are burning in the state, with much of Georgia under a burn ban due to extreme drought conditions. Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency as wildfires surpassed the state's five-year average.

Smoke from the fires has created poor air quality across the Southeast, affecting areas from Atlanta to Jacksonville and Columbia, South Carolina. The National Weather Service warned that unhealthy air conditions would persist into at least Thursday, advising children and sensitive individuals to avoid prolonged outdoor exercise. The drought has left the landscape highly flammable, with a single spark capable of igniting rapidly spreading fires.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows extreme to exceptional drought conditions across north Florida and southern Georgia, the worst since 2000. Florida experienced similar severe drought in 1998 when devastating wildfires broke out. Both regions have recorded rainfall deficits of 12 to 16 inches since October, creating tinderbox conditions that firefighters are struggling to contain.