Okefenokee threatened by fires (UPDATED)

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has been threatened by the fires in southeast Georgia. This morning, the fires entered the north and west ends of the Refuge, according to the incident commander with the Georgia Forestry Commission.

An Okefenokee-official said the popular Swamp Park that is accessed from the north entrance was closed yesterday, and remains closed today. The park draws thousands of visitors each year. In addition, the west entrance to the Refuge was closed late Tuesday.

Officials do say that the east entrance to the Refuge remains open to visitors with many tourist activities still available

The Okefenokee Refuge encompasses 403-thousand acres just south of Waycross. It covers 650 square miles.

Governor Sonny Perdue has announced that federal funds have been authorized to help fight an uncontrolled fire burning in Ware County.

The funds are made available by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The 20,000-acre Sweat Farm Road fire has destroyed 11 structures and threatens the city of Waycross.

Thirty-one people are being temporarily houses in an American Red Cross shelter at Ware County Middle School in Waycross.

Dense smoke has forced highway closures, particularly those south and west of Waycross.

FEMA will pay 75 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs.