Incident Overview
Honey Prairie Complex June 21, 2011
Current acreage: 261,663 acres 60% contained
Winds, high temperatures and low humidities have resulted in extreme and erratic fire behavior for firefighters battling blazes in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Today, fire crews will continue with operations around the entire perimeter of the Refuge and the Honey Prairie Fire Complex.
Crews will concentrate burnout operations in two primary areas today: 1) west of the Stephen C. Foster State Park toward the refuge boundary and 2) if possible, south of the Racepond Fire down the refuge boundary to the Honey Prairie Fire. Burnout operations are dependent upon wind direction and are decided based upon weather observations and predictions.
“These hot and dry days just make dry fuels drier,” said Incident Commander Mike Quesinberry. “We keep a close eye on what’s actually happening out on the ground and make decisions based on what we’re seeing. We may plan to try one strategy, but we’ve got to be flexible enough to do something different when the weather doesn’t cooperate.”
Firefighters will work to protect structures at the Okefenokee Swamp Park as the fire moves northward. If possible, firefighters may burn out some areas around that park in an effort to remove fuel from the approaching fire. The work to protect the boardwalk at the Stephen C. Foster State Park will continue and firefighters predict actions will be necessary over an extended period of time to accomplish this objective.
Fire crews are patrolling and mopping up along the fire’s perimeter from areas near Fargo south and east to Moniac and the eastern boundary of the refuge near Folkston up to Racepond. These actions have proved to be critical as fires are reburning in areas that were recently burned.
Smoke may continue to present problems in areas along the eastern side of the Okefenokee Refuge, and motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution. Persons with health issues should remain indoors as much as possible.
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, FLDOT, Georgia Aviation Authority, Brantley County Fire Department, Ware County Fire Department, Toledo Manufacturing Company.
Closures: The Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, including the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, Okefenokee Adventures, and all hiking trails at the refuge’s east entrance are closed until the immediate threat of fire is over. All public canoe camping, day use boating, and motorized boat use from the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge East Entrance, are suspended. Kingfisher Landing is closed until further notice to all boating activities. Swamp Island Drive, including Chesser Island Homestead and Swamp Walk Boardwalk, at the Refuge’s east entrance, is closed until the threat of fire is over. Okefenokee Swamp Park, 912-283-0583, on Highway 177 is also closed at this time. Stephen C. Foster State Park and Highway 177 is closed. Current park information is available at 912-637-5274.
06-21-11
19:30 hrs