SE Georgia fire causes more evacuations

It was a tough day on the fire lines Thursday as the massive blaze in southeast Georgia forced additional evacuations and more damage.

Gusty winds kicked-up a fire near Nahunta--east of Waycross. Officials said 25 to 30 homes were evacuated. It also affected a stretch of state highway 301.
Authorities also asked people in and around the community of Astoria to leave their homes again, as fire from the Okefenokee swamp drew closer. Many of the same people had left their homes for a brief time early Wednesday morning. Emergency officials also had to close a 16-mile stretch of U.S.-1 between Waycross and Jacksonville.

22 homes have now been destroyed in total since the fire started a week and a half ago. The blaze has blackened 95 square miles of land.

SE Georgia wildfires-update

Nearly 60-thousand acres have now burned in southeast Georgia as the wildfires continue to rule in the area of Waycross and the Okefenokee.

Firefighters are working 12-hour shifts or longer in trying to control the blaze. Officials say it is still about 50-percent contained. About 600 firefighters from multiple agencies and states are involved.

Residents of the Astoria community early Wednesday morning were evacuated briefly when flames crept close. Those residents are advised to remain on-guard, as southwesterly winds are forecast for today and tomorrow, which could fan the flames.

Ware County schools yesterday re-opened for the first time since being closed for six straight days.

Fire officials will hold an informational meeting for residents in Ware County tonight at 7pm. It will be held at the Ware County Middle School.