Author: Tee Johnson

If you stepped outside in metro Atlanta on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, you likely noticed it: a strange haze blanketing the skyline, a faint but unmistakable smell of burning wood hanging in the air, and reduced visibility even on what should have been a clear spring day.

The culprit isn’t local pollution or fog—it’s smoke drifting hundreds of miles north from raging wildfires in south Georgia.

Is There Smoke in Atlanta Today?

Georgia is in the grip of severe drought, with more than 98% of the state under moderate to exceptional drought conditions.

Dry vegetation, low humidity, and windy weather have turned the region into a tinderbox. In just three days, nearly 100 fires ignited across south Georgia.

The largest and most destructive is the Clinch County Fire (also known as the Pineland Road Fire) near the Okefenokee Swamp, roughly 10 miles north of the Georgia-Florida line. As of April 22, it had scorched more than 16,000 acres and was only about 10% contained.

The Fires Burning in South Georgia

Additional fires in the area have burned thousands more acres, forcing evacuations, school closures, and road shutdowns in affected counties.

Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for more than 90 counties in south Georgia, mobilizing the Georgia Forestry Commission and emergency responders.

Similar blazes in northern Florida’s Big Bend region are also contributing to the regional smoke plume.

How Smoke Travels Hundreds of Miles to Atlanta

Wildfire smoke doesn’t stay put. Fine particles (PM2.5) and gases rise into the atmosphere and get carried by prevailing winds. In this case, a high-pressure system over the western Atlantic is driving southeasterly winds at lower levels, creating a “conveyor belt” that slowly pushes smoke northward.

Upper-level winds move west to east, helping spread the plume across the region. Southwest winds have limited the worst of the influx into metro Atlanta, but enough smoke has still arrived to create visible haze and that telltale burning odor.

The smoke has reached as far as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it has reduced visibility for travelers. Conditions are even more pronounced in middle and south Georgia.YLbrV“LARGE”

Meteorologists expect hazy, smoky skies to persist through at least Friday, April 25.

A better chance for relief arrives Saturday when scattered rain is forecast to help wash the smoke out of the air and dampen fire danger—though the Clinch County Fire will likely continue burning until more significant rainfall or containment efforts succeed.

Air Quality and Health Concerns

Wildfire smoke contains a mix of fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals that can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Even moderate levels can trigger coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and headaches.

People in sensitive groups—children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic conditions—are at higher risk.

Metro Atlanta is currently under Code Yellow (moderate) air quality conditions, with some pockets reaching unhealthy levels for sensitive groups.

Air quality is significantly worse closer to the fires. Check real-time conditions at AirNow.gov or local forecasts before heading outdoors.

Safety Tips: Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Smoke Inhalation

Here’s how to stay safe while the smoke lingers:

1. Stay indoors as much as possible. Keep windows and doors tightly closed. If you have central air or heat, set it to “recirculate” mode and change or clean filters regularly to avoid pulling in outdoor smoke.
2. Create a “clean room.” Pick one room in your home (ideally a bedroom), close it off from the rest of the house, and run a portable air cleaner or a DIY box-fan filter (MERV 13 or higher). Run it on high when you’re in the room. Never leave a box-fan filter unattended.
3. Limit outdoor activity. Avoid strenuous exercise, yard work, or prolonged time outside when it looks or smells smoky. If you must go out, shorten your time and take frequent breaks indoors.
4. Wear proper protection. If you have to be outside, use a NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirator that fits snugly against your face. Cloth masks, surgical masks, or bandanas do not provide adequate protection against fine smoke particles.
5. Monitor symptoms. Watch for coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or irritated eyes. Have rescue inhalers or medications ready if you have respiratory conditions. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen.
6. Protect vulnerable groups and pets. Children and pets should stay inside. Keep pets indoors and provide fresh water. Consider bringing sensitive family members to a community building or public space with better air filtration if your home becomes too smoky.
7. Avoid adding to indoor pollution. Don’t burn candles, use gas stoves, or smoke tobacco indoors. Vacuum with a HEPA filter if needed, but skip sweeping or dusting that could stir up particles.

These steps come straight from CDC and EPA guidance for wildfire smoke events and can dramatically reduce your exposure.

Looking Ahead

Firefighters continue battling the flames under challenging drought conditions, while state officials urge residents in fire-prone areas to heed burn bans and evacuation orders.

For the rest of us in metro Atlanta, the haze is an unwelcome reminder of how interconnected our region’s air really is.

Stay informed via local news, the Georgia Forestry Commission, or AirNow.gov. With rain on the horizon, clearer skies—and safer breathing—should return soon. In the meantime, take simple precautions and look out for neighbors who may need extra help.

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Lee Najjar, the wealthy Atlanta real estate investor best known to Real Housewives of Atlanta fans as Kim Zolciak-Biermann’s mysterious benefactor “Big Poppa,” has passed away at the age of 68.

He died on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with the news confirmed by his daughter, Katelin Najjar, through Instagram Stories featuring family tributes.

Najjar’s off-camera presence loomed large over the early seasons of RHOA, becoming one of the franchise’s most enduring scandals and symbols of the luxury, secrecy, and drama that defined Bravo’s breakout Atlanta series.

The Man Behind the Money

A Puerto Rican-born real estate mogul with significant holdings in Atlanta, Najjar was already a successful (and at times controversial) figure in the city’s property scene before reality TV fame found him.

Fans first heard whispers of “Big Poppa” in Season 1 as Kim Zolciak described a generous, older man funding her lavish lifestyle—designer clothes, luxury cars, a sprawling home, and more—while she navigated single motherhood and the Housewives spotlight.

Kim kept his identity under wraps on camera, referring to him only by the affectionate (and meme-worthy) nickname.

The secrecy fueled endless speculation among viewers and castmates alike. Nene Leakes famously slipped up and mentioned “Lee” on more than one occasion, adding fuel to the fire.

When details eventually emerged, the story proved even juicier: Najjar was married to his wife, Kimberly Najjar, during much of his relationship with Kim.

The pair were reportedly engaged at one point, with Kim flashing a massive diamond ring on Season 2, but the romance was on-again, off-again and ultimately ended by 2009. Kim later described him as “the love of my life” but said it was time to move on.

A Storyline That Defined Early RHOA

Big Poppa embodied the aspirational-yet-messy glamour of early Housewives: private jets, high-end shopping sprees, and the blurred lines between genuine romance and financial support.

The storyline highlighted themes of secrecy, infidelity rumors, and the price of the luxe life many Housewives pursued.

Najjar largely stayed out of the public eye, but his notoriety peaked again in 2012 when a mugshot surfaced after his arrest related to a court date and financial matters—another tabloid moment that cemented his place in Bravo lore.

Even years later, at BravoCon panels and in fan discussions, the mention of “Big Poppa” still elicits laughs, gasps, and nostalgia for the wilder, less filtered days of RHOA.

Kim herself has reflected on the relationship with a mix of fondness and finality, noting in later interviews that she hadn’t spoken to him in years after finding lasting love (and marriage, though later divorced) with Kroy Biermann.

Tributes and Legacy

Family members, including daughter Katelin, have shared heartfelt tributes remembering Najjar as a devoted father and larger-than-life personality.

Kim Zolciak has not yet publicly commented as of the latest reports, but fans have flooded social media with memories of the iconic storyline.

At the time of his death, reports placed Najjar’s net worth in the millions from his real estate ventures, a far cry from the $50 million figures sometimes floated in earlier tabloid coverage but still reflective of a successful career in Atlanta’s booming (and occasionally busting) property market.

Lee Najjar may have preferred the shadows during his time in the Housewives universe, but his larger-than-life persona left an indelible mark.

For a generation of Bravo fans, “Big Poppa” wasn’t just a sugar daddy reference—it was a shorthand for the scandalous, over-the-top drama that made early RHOA appointment television.

Rest in peace to a name that will forever live in Real Housewives infamy.

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Acclaimed sports journalist Taylor Rooks revealed a powerful achievement by her Taylor Rooks Foundation (TRF): in partnership with the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, the organization has forgiven more than $2.1 million in medical debt affecting 1,805 families and individuals in her hometown of Gwinnett County, Georgia. 

Rooks explained the deeply personal motivation behind the initiative.

She referenced her own family’s experiences with chronic illness—specifically noting her sister’s Type 1 diabetes—and described how medical bills can quickly become overwhelming, creating barriers that affect not just finances but overall health and peace of mind.

“Health challenges aren’t always within our control,” she emphasized, adding that removing this debt provides “real impact” by restoring access, easing hardship, and giving people a genuine “chance to move forward” and focus on recovery and family.

A Foundation Built on Equity and Action

Rooks launched the Taylor Rooks Foundation in July 2025 as a project of the Players Philanthropy Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Its mission is straightforward yet ambitious: to empower underserved communities—particularly Black and Brown individuals and families—by expanding access to education, health, and opportunity. TRF meets “overlooked needs with dignity, care, and action,” drawing inspiration from the stories Rooks has encountered throughout her career and personal life. 

The foundation operates around three core pillars:

•  REACH: Educational resources, community wellness programs, small business support, and direct giving.

•  RELIEVE: Support for health and recovery, crisis assistance (including medical debt relief and utility aid), and essential living needs.

•  REPRESENT: Mentorship for aspiring journalists, storytelling workshops, and initiatives like the Rising Rooks Award to amplify underrepresented voices. 

This latest medical debt forgiveness falls squarely under the RELIEVE pillar and marks one of TRF’s most visible early impacts.

The partnership with Undue Medical Debt leverages a proven model: the organization purchases portfolios of delinquent medical debt for pennies on the dollar from hospitals and collectors, then forgives it outright for qualifying low-income or vulnerable households.

Nationally, Undue has already abolished over $1 billion in medical debt for more than 500,000 people. 

Why Gwinnett? Roots Run Deep

Rooks, born in St. Louis in 1992 and raised in Suwanee, Gwinnett County, has always remained connected to her Georgia roots

A graduate of Peachtree Ridge High School and the University of Illinois, she comes from an athletic family—her father, Thomas Rooks, starred in football at Illinois, and her uncle is Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock.

Her professional journey as an Emmy-nominated journalist (previously with Bleacher Report, TNT, and now hosting on Prime Video) has taken her to New York, but she continues to champion the Atlanta-area community where she grew up. 

Gwinnett County, part of the greater Atlanta metro, is diverse and vibrant but—like many communities across the South and the U.S.—has been hit hard by medical debt.

Forgiving $2.1 million here isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s tangible relief for nearly 2,000 local families who can now breathe easier, seek care without fear, and invest in their futures rather than past bills.

Early Wins and Growing Momentum

The medical debt relief isn’t TRF’s first act of service.

Since launching, the foundation has supported the Lower East Side Girls Club in New York City, provided utility assistance to families during the holidays, helped teachers with school supplies, and partnered with companies like Experian (which recently donated $50,000).

Each effort aligns with Rooks’ belief that “equity starts with access”—access to care, confidence, opportunity, and resources regardless of zip code, background, or bank account. 

In her own words from the announcement: “To everyone who continues to support TRF’s mission, thank you! This work is only possible because of you.” 

A Model of Impactful Philanthropy

In an era when medical debt remains one of the leading causes of financial stress and even bankruptcy in America, initiatives like this one highlight how targeted, community-focused giving can create immediate, life-changing relief.

Rooks isn’t just shining a spotlight—she’s turning her platform and personal story into sustained action.

The Taylor Rooks Foundation invites supporters to learn more, donate, or get involved at taylorrooks.com/foundation.

As Rooks continues her high-profile career covering the NBA, NFL, and beyond, her foundation proves that true influence extends far off the court and into the lives of everyday people in the communities she calls home.

This is more than philanthropy—it’s proof that one person’s vision, backed by strategic partnerships and community support, can lift thousands.

And for Gwinnett County families burdened by medical debt, that relief feels nothing short of life-changing.