Honey Prairie Fire Complex: 290,972 acres, 70% contained
Sweat Farm Again Fire: 19,169 acres, 75% contained
Racepond Fire: 20,934 acres, 75% contained
The Honey Prairie Fire is progressing northward along the Ware/Charlton County line to about 1.5 miles away from Swamp Edge Break. Additional resources have been ordered to staff a swing shift through 3 a.m. Equipment has been staged around the refuge to assist with any additional needs. Lightning fires have ignited over the last few days within the refuge boundary. As the days become warmer and drier, the fire intensity and the number of reburns have increased producing more smoke. Wind speed and direction will determine where the smoke accumulates.
Fire activity on the Sweat Farm Again and Racepond Fires was light again on Tuesday. Two reburns were discovered and controlled on the Racepond Fire. Several debris piles are still smoldering within the containment lines on Sweat Farm Again Fire. Fire crews are still improving firelines and mopping up hot spots on both fires. Some firefighting resources are being transferred to the Honey Prairie Fire to assist with increased fire activity there.
Smoke from the Honey Prairie Fire will lower visibilities to less than one mile this morning. A southerly wind will take the thickest smoke northward from the Okefenokee Swamp into the Waycross metro area with lesser amounts of smoke across the remainder of inland southeast Georgia. Those with respiratory conditions and those sensitive to smoke including the elderly, young children, and pets should remain indoors as much as possible. Otherwise, try to limit your exposure by staying indoors and keeping windows closed.
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. Reburn continues to be a threat near refuge facilities. Two days ago, initial attack firefighters contained a 1/3 acre reburn 500 feet from the visitor center.
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].
Assigned Resources
143 Engines
4 dozers
14 water tenders
8 helicopters
1 Crew
747 personnel
07-07-11
16:45 hrs