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Wildfires Force Hundreds to Flee Georgia and Florida
Wildfires spread through Georgia and Florida this week. An extreme drought helped the fires grow fast.
Hundreds of Georgia residents had to flee in minutes. Strong winds also drove the fires to spread quickly.
More than 50 homes were destroyed. Over 27,000 acres burned across the region.
Georgia declared a state of emergency. Leaders also issued the state's first ever mandatory burn bans.
These bans covered 91 counties. Reports say 98% of Georgia is in moderate-to-exceptional drought.
Smoke from the fires reached cities hundreds of miles away. Air quality was affected across a wide area.
Klear Note — Droughts make wildfires spread faster and burn hotter. Burn bans stop people from starting outdoor fires to prevent new blazes.
Key Terms 4
- state of emergency
- When leaders declare a crisis needing urgent government help
- burn ban
- A rule that stops people from lighting any outdoor fires
- drought
- A long period with very little rain causing dry conditions
- acres
- A unit of land size. 27,000 acres is about 42 square miles