Wildfires rage across Georgia and Florida – video | Wildfires

Wildfires burning across the south-eastern US intensified on Wednesday in parts of south-east Georgia, where 50 homes were destroyed, and across north-east Florida, forcing evacuations and school closures in some communities.

The Georgia forestry commission issued its first mandatory burn ban in the state’s history, effective across 91 counties in the lower half of the state, because to worsening drought conditions and rising wildfire activity.

Some of the biggest blazes are reported to be along Georgia’s coast and around Jacksonville, Florida. They have been exacerbated by a long drought, low humidity and strong winds in the area