Estimated Acreage and Containment
Honey Prairie 157,173 Acres, 80% Contained
Racepond 7,792 Acres, 60% Contained
Cause and Date Started
Honey Prairie: Lightning, 4/30/2011; Racepond: Under Investigation, 5/25/2011
Resources on the Fires
Honey Prairie: 4 Helicopters, 37 Engines, 20 Bulldozers, 5 Water Tenders, 1 Camp Crew, 178 Overhead, 319 total personnel.
Racepond: 1 Type 2 Crew, 3 Helicopters, 23 Engines, 23 Bulldozers, 43 Overhead, 148 total personnel.
There are additional resources not reflected in the above count from private industry and State agencies.
Operational Update
The Racepond and Honey Prairie Fires are managed as the Honey Prairie Complex
Honey Prairie: Yesterday, the Honey Prairie Fire was active in the southwest corner, near Fiddlers Island Road. Burnout operations to secure the swamp edge break were successfully conducted. Fire activity also increased in the area of Billy’s Island, where the fire has been slowly backing towards the Suwannee Canal. Firefighters improved line and held the fire within the swamp edge break, and completed a firing operation to secure the fire within the Refuge.
Racepond: Fire activity slowed on the Racepond Fire yesterday. Crews continued to build line around the 30 acre spot west of Highway 177.
Plans for Today
Honey Prairie: Wilder’s Southern Area Type 1 Red Team takes responsibility of the Honey Prairie Complex at 08:00 today. Crews will continue to hold and mop up the fire in all Divisions.
Racepond: Crews will continue building line around the 30 acre spot west of Hwy 177. Crews will also continue holding and mop-up operations.
Fire Weather
Partly Cloudy. Patchy fog and smoke early. Maximum temperatures 93-96 F. Minimum humidity 38-44%. Winds in the morning NE-E light and variable. Afternoon winds E-SE 5-9 mph with gusts to 14 mph.
Restrictions and Closures
Stephen C. Foster State Park is open for camping and hiking. Current park information is available at 912.637.5274. 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 temporarily suspended. Guided boat, canoe and kayak tours have resumed on limited portions of Suwannee Canal. Contact Okefenokee Adventures at 912.496.7156 for tour information. Swamp Island Drive, including the Chesser Island Homestead and Swamp Walk Boardwalk, at the Refuge’s east entrance, is closed until the threat of fire is over.
Joint Information Center
Unified Command and emergency management agencies have established a Joint Information Center in Waycross, GA, at 912.287.4471. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Community Information
A Community Information Hotline is in place in Fargo, GA. The hotline is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 912. 637.5597.
Cooperators
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia Forestry Commission, Florida Division of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, Greater Okefenokee Association of Landowners, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Rayonier, Superior Pine, Langdale, GDOT, FLDOT, Georgia Aviation Authority, Brantley Co. FD, Ware County FD.
06-04-11
21:00 hrs