VIDEOS: Huge plumes of smoke blanketed swaths of the Southeast on Wednesday as crews battled rapidly growing wildfires that destroyed more than 50 homes in Georgia and forced hundreds to flee the drought- and wind-fueled flames.

Some of the biggest blazes were near Georgia’s coast, while others were popping up in northern Florida, a state facing one of its worst fire seasons in decades.

It was not yet clear how the wildfires started, but the bottom half of Georgia is perilously dry and the conditions prompted the state’s forestry commission to issue a burn ban for the first time in its history.

Southeastern Georgia has seen just 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain since the beginning of September — almost 15 inches (38 centimeters) below normal, the National Weather Service said.

The fires spread so quickly in that area that residents received no warnings or alerts. “I wish that I had knew something more,” said Brianna Elliott, who left home Tuesday only to find her route back blocked by the fires 90 minutes later.

“I would have turned around in that moment and gone home and got my animals before anything.” She now fears that her home and her dogs are gone.

Georgia’s two biggest wildfires together have burned more than 53 square miles (137.3 square kilometers), and crews responded Wednesday to 34 smaller fires newly burning across the state, the state’s forestry commission said.

WFLA-TV NBC 8 Tampa

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The names of 204 firefighters who died in the line of duty will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during the 45th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, May 2–3, 2026, as families, fire service leaders and communities across the country gather to honor their lives and sacrifice.

The congressionally established National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, serves as the nation’s official monument honoring firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Newly honored firefighters are permanently added to the memorial each year during Memorial Weekend. Hosted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), the annual Memorial Weekend brings hundreds of Fire Hero families, fire service leaders, government officials and supporters together for ceremonies of remembrance, reflection and national tribute.

“The loss of these 204 fallen firefighters is felt most deeply by the families and loved ones left behind. They were parents, partners, colleagues and friends who will forever be remembered for their bravery and their devotion to duty,” said National Fallen Firefighters Foundation CEO Victor Stagnaro.

“During the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, we will add their names to the National Memorial, ensuring they are remembered by a grateful nation.” This year’s honorees, known as the Roll of Honor, include 97 lost in 2025 and 107 from previous years.

“For 45 years, this weekend has allowed us to collectively pause to reflect and remember those who always answered the call to protect our communities without hesitation,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors.

“As we honor their lives, this moment is also about giving their families and departments our unwavering support. We stand tall beside them with gratitude and respect. Their Fire Hero will never be forgotten.”

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

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Take a look at this collection of products that are going to be on the FDIC International 2026 show floor.

The post What to See At FDIC International 2026 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Orange County fire crews battled a three-alarm fire in Stanton Wednesday afternoon that started at a row of detached garages before spreading to an apartment complex.

Residents were evacuated from the complex, and no injuries were reported.

According to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg Barta, the fire was first reported at 11:15 a.m. in the 750 block of Katella Avenue.

Sky5’s Rich Prickett was above the scene shortly after noon as units burned. Capt. Barta said the fire started somewhere in the garage area behind the apartments before spreading to units.

KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles

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VIDEO: A commercial structure in Auburn burned in a fire late Tuesday night. Valley Regional Fire Authority firefighters responded to reports of a fire at A Street Southeast and 29th Street Southeast about 11:31 p.m. Crews extinguished the fire about 1:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Footage taken by a KING 5 crew at the scene at the Oldcastle Infrastructure property appeared to show a structure that collapsed in the fire. Smoke was also visible about 2:30 a.m. Oldcastle Infrastructure provides concrete utility products for communications, stormwater, energy and other infrastructure projects. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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