Wildfires continue to rage in southeast Georgia, with a total of 30-thousand acres that have now burned. The largest blaze involves 25-thousand acres right now. An official with the Georgia Forestry Commission said this morning that fire is about 30-percent contained. Aside from the evacuations of one-thousand people from the south-Waycross area a couple of days ago, officials say 17 homes have now been lost to the fire.
There are several road closures as a result of the fires. It includes a stretch of US 84 that is closed in all of Ware County, and between mile markers 10 and 12.
Fires on Wednesday morning had moved into the edges of the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge, closing the north and west entrances, and closing the popular Swamp Park.
It was announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has stepped-in with assistance. It will pay 75-percent of Georgia’s eligible firefighting costs.
