If it seems smoky, that may be because there’s a wildfire nearby, in the current extreme drought.

Wildfire map, –watchduty.org 2026-04-20, Suwannee River Basin, Numerous wildfires

For wildfires at a glance, see https://app.watchduty.org/, which appears to draw its data from state forestry services.

Map: Wildfires, 2026-04-20 –Watchduty

Here’s the biggest one right now, the Clinch Pineland Road Fire.

Misty Collett • Regional Captain
About 3 hours ago • Apr 20 at 1:07 PM

Echols County has now been included in this incident due to the fires close proximity to the county line. Users in that county will now receive notifications for this incident.

Misty Collett • Regional Captain
About 3 hours ago • Apr 20 at 12:40 PM

Map: Clinch Pineland Road Fire, 2026-04-20 –Watchduty

A wildfire that began Saturday, April 18 on private timberland has grown to approximately 6,960 acres and is currently 10% contained. Ongoing drought and challenging fire weather conditions are contributing to increased fire activity and spread.

The Georgia Forestry Commission is establishing an Incident Management Team to support this fire and others in the area. The team is expected to be fully active tomorrow (4/21).

Public Safety Reminder:

• Avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate safely
• Follow all instructions from local officials
• Be alert for possible road closures and smoke impacts

Per Georgia Forestry Commission on Facebook.

According to Echols Co. EMA,

A wildfire has crossed the Suwannee River and is now in Echols County.

Register Road near Pineland is at risk.

Residents nearby should remain alert and be prepared to act if conditions change.

Monitor for updates immediately.

Although not the Suwannee River. Suwanoochee Creek is the county line from Clinch County into Echols County, Georgia, upstream from the Suwannee River.

Map: Suwanoochee Creek, 2026-04-20 –SRWT

And another big one, the Sargent Fire, in the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp, right on the GA-FL line.

Map: Sargent Fire, 2026-04-20 –Watchduty

It’s burned 2,523 acres and is about 81% contained.

Yusra Kauppila • Regional Captain
About 4 hours ago • Apr 20 at 11:21 AM

Acres: 2,523

Containment: 81%

Current Situation: Mop-up continues to be a slow process on the Sargent Fire due to the current weather conditions. Over the past 72 hours, weather conditions have been unfavorable. The acreage on the Sargent Fire has increased to 2,523 acres due to spot fires. The spot fires that have occurred have been contained to the Sargent Fire. Interior hot spots in the swamp remain an issue with reburn and will continue to be extinguished as needed and monitored daily. The current drought conditions are expected to last through early summer. Yesterday, approximately 17,000 gallons of water were applied to the Sargent Fire. Over the weekend, 3 task forces with heavy equipment, 1 UAS team, and 2 Type 1 Helicopters were assigned to the Sargent Fire. Operations continue to run normally. The current weather will continue to increase the risk of wildfire activity on the Sargent Fire today and moving forward into the week.

– 4/20/26 Update provided by Florida Forest Service — Suwannee Forestry Center

So please don’t burn.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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