Massive Smoke Plumes Spotted Near Georgia-South Carolina Border

Prescribed burn at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge causes visible smoke for miles.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Massive plumes of smoke have been spotted near the Georgia and South Carolina state line, with the fire visible for several miles into downtown Savannah. The smoke is from a prescribed burn taking place at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge on Monday.

Why it matters

Prescribed burns are a common forest management practice, but the scale and visibility of this fire has caused concern among local residents and travelers. The smoke could impact visibility and air quality in the surrounding areas.

The details

According to the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Facebook page, the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge was scheduled for a prescribed burn on Monday. The Lauren Hill Wildlife Drive has been closed, but the refuge says they will reopen the gate as soon as the burn is complete, and trails on the north side of SC170 will remain open.

  • The smoke was spotted around noon on Monday, February 23, 2026.

The players

Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex

The government agency responsible for managing the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, where the prescribed burn is taking place.

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What’s next

The refuge plans to reopen the Lauren Hill Wildlife Drive once the prescribed burn is complete.

The takeaway

Prescribed burns are a common forest management practice, but the scale and visibility of this fire has caused concern among local residents and travelers. The smoke could impact visibility and air quality in the surrounding areas, highlighting the need for clear communication from authorities about the purpose and timeline of such controlled burns.