Wildfires Rage in Augusta Amid High Fire Danger Warnings

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – High fire dangers across Augusta led to a series of brush fires Friday, scorching dozens of acres and damaging at least one residence. The fires ignited in response to the dry, gusty weather conditions, which were flagged by the South Carolina Forestry Commission as a significant risk factor, although no outright burn ban was in effect.

On Friday afternoon, around 4:25 p.m., deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a brush fire in the 3500 block of Milledgeville Road. The fire prompted the closure of Milledgeville Road between Noland Connector and New McDuffie Road, as flames threatened nearby homes. One house was reported to have caught fire, according to authorities.

Earlier in the day, a brush fire created a scare for residents in the Haynes Station community around 11:20 a.m. The fire erupted in an undeveloped area adjacent to the subdivision and Gordon Highway, with flames quickly spreading into nearby woods that bordered homes on Goodale Drive. One local described seeing a woman flee her home in panic as fire encroached. Residents gathered to witness firefighters attempt to subdue the flames, which frequently rekindled due to shifting winds, keeping firefighters engaged until after 1:30 p.m.

In another incident during the week, crews battled a larger blaze on Wednesday in the 2200 block of McNutt Road, where flames consumed over 7.5 acres, damaging several abandoned vehicles and an old camper. Ten firefighting units were deployed, and no injuries were reported as firefighting efforts contained the fire and protected nearby structures.

On the opposite side of Augusta, a shed was lost to flames on Friday around 12:30 p.m. at East Boundary and Watkins Street. Firefighters reported extinguishing the blaze shortly after responding.

Graniteville’s fire crews faced their own challenge on Thursday night with a large brush fire near Golf Course Road, which spread across approximately 10 acres without causing structural damage or injuries. The fire broke out before 8:30 p.m. and was reported contained by 9:57 p.m.

Additionally, employees at the Barden C&D Landfill in Graniteville managed a fire early Friday morning, bringing it under control by 5:45 a.m. This marked the third fire occurrence at the landfill in a year.

Local fire officials emphasize cautious behavior as the hot, dry conditions persist, warning that additional fires could arise if adequate precautions are not observed.