Fallen trees and limbs scattered across Georgia by Hurricane Helene more than a year ago are now helping fuel destructive wildfires in the state. Georgia officials say wooded areas in the state's bottom half are packed with debris from the hurricane. Blustery winds and an ongoing drought also are helping ignite and expand the fires in both Georgia and Florida. Hundreds of people have been forced from their homes near Georgia’s coast. A wildfire there has destroyed more than 50 homes and is threatening many more. The fires have sent smoke drifting over several states in the Southeast, leading to air quality warnings as far away as Columbia, South Carolina.
