A wildfire burning out of control in southeast Georgia a few miles west of Waycross has raced across nearly 8 square miles in less than a day, forcing some rural residents to evacuate.

Jonathan Daniel, emergency management director for Ware County, said Thursday about 75 homes were evacuated overnight. He says residents of about 25 homes have been unable to return because the flames are still too close.

Georgia Forestry Commission spokesman Eric Mosley says firefighters worked through the night after the fire ignited Wednesday, but they've been unable to contain any part of the blaze. He says the fire is burning mostly in timberland about 5 miles west of Waycross.

Drought has extended Georgia's wildfire season. Officials say more than 530 fires have started statewide since June 1.

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