More state money for wildfires

Governor Sonny Perdue is sending another seven-million dollars to southeast Georgia to help the battle against the wildfires. The money is coming from unspent state funds and will help several agencies, including the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. State law allows the Governor to transfer unused funds from the treasury, and redirect it to emergency efforts.

Over 151-thousand acres of land have been charred from one fire burning in Ware and Charlton counties. Another larger blaze is based along the state line into Florida. That fire has burned a combined 277-thousand acres, with over half of that on the Georgia side. Forecasters say stronger winds the next two days might make efforts more difficult for firefighters.

Officials say that late Wednesday night, a big portion of the boardwalk and two bridges at the Okefenokee Swamp Park were burned by the fires. Extra firefighters are guarding the Park to protect undamaged structures and wildlife.