Richmond Hill firefighter reflects on battling Brantley County wildfire

BRANTLEY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - As firefighters continue working to contain the wildfires in Brantley County, a Richmond Hill firefighter who helped battle the flames says the experience was unlike anything he had seen in his career.

Sergeant Alex Powell of the Richmond Hill Fire Department said in all his eight years of fighting fires, this was something different.

“It was something different. I’ve never had anything like that before,” Powell said.

Powell was one of three firefighters from the Richmond Hill Fire Department who battled the flames from early Saturday, April 25, to Monday, April 27. The fire is now considered Georgia’s most destructive wildfire.

“Saturday is when most of the fire came to us. Sunday night, we mostly did mop-up,” Powell said.

Massive flames and destroyed homes

He said when they arrived, the fire had already grown significantly in size. Seeing those massive flames still sticks with him.

“It was awesome and concerning all at the same time,” Powell said.

He said the hardest part of fighting the fire was watching people lose their homes. A family of eight is working to move forward after their home was destroyed by the fire.

“You can’t tell what anything is,” Powell said.

The ride home was mostly quiet as the three firefighters reflected on something they say they’ll never forget.

As the fire is now 90 percent contained and recovery efforts continue, Powell is sending encouragement to those still on the front lines.

“Keep up the good work. Y’all are doing a great job out there, and hold tight — it will be over soon,” Powell said. “Our hearts are with them, and we’re here if they need anything. Everybody is doing the best they can to take care of it.”

Once Powell and his crew returned, other firefighters were sent in the following week to continue assisting with wildfire response efforts.

Powell said it was a great feeling seeing firefighters from across Georgia and Florida come together to support one another and help protect the Brantley County community.