‘It was heart-wrenching’: Chatham County firefighters reflect on saving over 100 homes in Brantley wildfire

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Chatham County firefighters say watching the homes they could not save in the Brantley County wildfire will stay with them forever.

Six firefighters from the Chatham County Fire Department, including two captains, assisted in battling the wildfire. They worked 12-hour shifts for seven straight days and are now back home.

Captain Jonathan Campbell said the experience was unlike anything he had seen before.

“We definitely encountered some things that a lot of people don’t get to encounter,” Campbell said.

Campbell, who is from Midway, has helped put out smaller wildfires before, but this fire was different.

“This is 20,000 acres—the most I’ve ever had was a couple hundred,” he said.

Firefighters focused on protecting structures

Campbell and other Chatham County firefighters focused mainly on structural protection, working to keep flames away from homes.

“We were on Browntown when the fire actually jumped Browntown Road,” Campbell said.

He said the part that stood out most was watching people lose their homes.

“Eye-opening, to say the least… we saved over 100 homes, and that’s a blessing. But having to sit there and watch other people lose everything—it was heart-wrenching, to say the least,” Campbell said.

Crystal Raya lost her home in the wildfire.

“It’s home… it’s always going to be home. Even if it’s gone, it’s always going to be home,” Raya said.

Campbell said he is reflecting on a defining moment in his career. He said many of the firefighters wish they could have done more.

He had a message for those still on the front lines.

“Keep putting in the hard work—it’s worth it,” Campbell said.

Captain Jaden Jackson also fought the flames alongside Campbell. He said it was a very emotional experience.