Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined first responders in Brantley County, where a massive wildfire that started on April 20, 2026, near Highway 82 is continuing to spread. The Senator prayed with firefighters from around Georgia and met with first responders, elected officials, and volunteers. 

“It meant everything to me to be able to be on the ground. I wanted to be on the ground to assure Georgians that I’m doing everything I can to unleash the necessary federal resources, both to contain this fire and then to respond to the devastation that communities may continue to experience over the next few weeks,” said Senator Reverend Warnock following his visit.

“I promised the people of Georgia that I would walk with them, even as I work for them. As a pastor in the Senate, I believe in something I call the ministry of presence,” continued Senator Reverend Warnock. “Georgians who have lost their homes need to know that the folks who are elected to represent them haven’t forgotten about them, that we’re thinking about them and doing everything we can in Washington to deliver resources.”

Senator Warnock has previously voted to reauthorize the Fire Grants and Safety Act and has urged Senate appropriators to fully fund the Fire Grants program, a top priority for Georgia firefighters.