Honey Prairie Fire Complex: 291,653 acres, 70% contained
Sweat Farm Again Fire: 19,169 acres, 75% contained
Racepond Fire: 20,934 acres, 75% contained
Crews remained on portions of the Honey Prairie Fire throughout the night Wednesday to patrol for hotspots. This was the first night shift worked by crews in several days. To aid in the new patrol, 46 personnel were added into the fire yesterday. One to two inches of rain were reported over portions of the refuge. Heavy smoke was observed from Homerville east to Folkston periodically Wednesday.
Fire activity on the Sweat Farm Again and Racepond Fires was light again on Wednesday. Debris piles are still smoldering within containment lines on both fires but currently pose little threat. Fire crews are improving firelines and mopping up hot spots. Structure protection is also being maintained at Okefenokee Swamp Park. Smoke from the Honey Prairie Fire was heavy in the Waycross and Hoboken areas on Wednesday. Smoke warning signs have been put back out on the highways.
A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued by the National Weather Service: “Smoke from the Honey Prairie Fire will push west of the fire location today mainly impacting areas across inland southeast Georgia including the Homerville area and Clinch, Echols and Ware Counties. Those with respiratory conditions and those sensitive to smoke including the elderly, young children and pets should remain indoors as much as possible. Visibilities of one mile or less are expected at times creating hazardous driving conditions.”
Fire vehicles may be encountered on all roads surrounding the refuge and fire areas. Firefighters are asking the public to use caution near fire areas or to avoid fire areas whenever possible.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge remains closed. Reburns and falling trees near refuge facilities continue to be a threat to public safety.
Cooperators: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge; Georgia Forestry Commission; Florida Division of Forestry; U.S. Forest Service; Greater Okefenokee Association of Landowners (GOAL); Georgia Emergency Management Agency; Rayonier; Superior Pine; Langdale; GDOT; GSP; FLDOT; Georgia DNR; Georgia Aviation Authority; Georgia National Guard; Georgia DOC; County Fire Departments; Toledo Manufacturing Company; Charlton, Ware and Clinch Counties; and the Cities of Folkston and Homerville.
Closures: All entrances into Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge are closed. All visitor activities are suspended until the threat of fire is over. For status updates on visitor activities contact:
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 912-496-7366; Okefenokee Swamp Park, 912-283-0583; or the Stephen C. Foster State Park, 912-637-5274.
The Georgia Fire Information Center will be open from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily to help assist the public and media with up to date information on all fires across Southeast Georgia and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Please contact us at 912-496-2566 or [email protected].
07-07-11
12:00 hrs