Rain needed to help the out of control fire

The fires have hit Brantley County extremely hard.

As of Thursday, 87 dwellings were completely destroyed and only one firefighter had minor injuries. I’ve heard the number is approaching 150 homes.

Lots of donations have been pouring in from all over the state in this time of need With all of the devastation that has happened, it is amazing that there have not been much more or even deaths.

Many counties have donated their time and services to help Brantley County fight this fire which has bounced from Highway 82, Highway 259, Highway 110, Browntown Road, and even to Highway 32.

Brantley is under extreme drought conditions and probably has never seen it this bad in its whole history. I am afraid that with the drought that we are having right now, all of this may not be over with.

I know many people are overwhelmed and so are the elected officials.

I have heard of some pet owners who have lost some pets. I know that to some people, that is about the same as losing a family member.

I lost my grandpa, Donald Morgan in a house fire in 1969 when I was only six years old. I hope we don’t have any lost lives in this fire. I think it is amazing how much hard work how much great work the volunteer firefighters have been doing to keep our county safe.

I have heard of a few pets not surviving. One lady told us she did not know who to thank for saving her home (purchased in November), but she so wanted to thank the firefighters that did it for her and her family.

Donations have come from all over to help our community and county.

I know the National Guard and FEMA have been called in now, because of the devastation and destruction that has been seen. Governor Kemp said a couple of days ago that this is the most loss of homes at one time in the whole state of Georgia ever and this was before the weekend.

We need RAIN!

• Wayne Morgan is freelance wildlife photographer and author.