Forestry officials urge caution with arrival of wildfire season

State forestry officials are urging Georgians to use caution with burning debris in their yards. The state’s typical wildfire season usually runs from February to May. Last year, wildfires burned for two months in south Georgia, charring more than 600-thousand acres of swamp and timberland. A state forestry official says even though areas of southeastern Georgia have received more rain, the drought still makes the area ripe for wildfires. State forestry officials are cutting back on its prescribed burns on tree plantations in south Georgia.

Storm brings some relief to wildfire fighters

NOAA satellite image. Click here or on image for
more tracking and radar views of the storm's progress.
Tropical Storm Barry, which made landfall in north Florida and then downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved north along the eastern seaboard, gave a welcome hand to exhausted firefighters in southeast Georgia.

Between two and over six inches of rain fell across parts of eastern Georgia as of Sunday, 11 AM, according to the National Weather Service. More thunderstorms are expected, but not enough to put an end to the blazes which have torched almost 500,000 acres after a month's burning.

The 2007 hurricane season opened on June 1. But, 53-percent of people who live in areas expected to be affected this season just aren't ready with either an evacuation or a survival plan, according to this GPB report.

Columbus: smoke from a distant fire

Columbus and area residents awoke Thursday morning to a heavy pall of smoke from the wildfires in the southeast part of the state.

About a half-million acres are ablaze or smoldering in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and nearby areas.

Similar conditions were experienced throughout the area on Wednesday, as well; city and county officials met to discuss possible responses, including scaling back public sports events.

Columbus health officials suggests curtailing outside activities, and staying inside with the windows closed.

The Muscogee County Sheriff's Office recommends motorists turn on their headlights, and use the same caution in the reduced visibility as they would in fog.

President speaks on immigration in Brunswick

President George Bush was in coastal Georgia Tuesday to push for an immigration bill that many in his own party are divided on. The President spoke in Brunswick at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, which trains border patrol and immigration agents, among other federal officers. Bush directly addressed his G-O-P critics, saying the bill currently before Congress is tough on illegal immigrants--requiring fines, back taxes and other provisions before they gain legal status.

"This is not an amnesty bill" Bush said. "If you want to scare the American people, what you say is, the bill's an amnesty bill. That's empty political rhetoric trying to frighten our fellow citizens".

Bush noted Georgia agriculture as one aspect of the economy which depends on a steady supply of immigrant workers. He said sending 12-million illegal immigrants back home is not an option.

Concerning the wildfires in southern Georgia and northern Florida, Bush pledged federal aid to help battle the blazes. So far, it has cost over 45-million dollars to fight the fires. The blazes have charred over 580-thousand acres in Georgia and Florida since starting in mid-April.

Wildlife wait out the wildfires

The fires in Southeast Georgia are affecting wildlife as well as people. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is home to more than 400 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish.

It's hard to gauge the long-term impact these fires are having on the animals, but U-S Fish and Wildlife Ranger Sally Gentry says she’s optimistic.

"These fires are part of a natural cycle of the Okenfenokee Swamp so most of the animals that inhabit this area are conditioned over generations to have adaptations to deal with this," says Gentry.

She says mammals, especially black bears, are the hardest hit. They've roamed into neighboring timber forests.

The fires and drought, she says, are forcing alligators, fish and turtles to share closer living space.

But well before the fires started, rangers had cleared the brush around the trees where the endangered red cockaded woodpecker makes its home.

Other animals, like the gopher tortoise, have dug burrows, where they're waiting out the fires.

Atlantic storm off the coast of Savannah

Three weeks before the Atlantic hurricane season officially starts, there is a first named storm of the season--Andrea. It’s churning about 135 miles southeast of Savannah right now, but forecasters think it won’t have much movement, and will fizzle-out over the next few days near the coast. Yesterday at Tybee Island, 5-foot waves and 26 mile per hour wind gusts were recorded.

It’s not expected there will be much relief from this storm in trying to help douse the wildfires in southeast Georgia and now parts of Florida.

Fires cause mandatory evacuation for small community

Fire officials have issued a mandatory evacuation for Moniac Georgia, a small community right on the Florida Border as continuing wildfires threaten homes there.
Officials in Florida and Georgia have been evacuating people in the line of a fire that was started by lighting this weekend in the Okefenokee National Wildlife refuge in South East Georgia. It has spread to over 40 thousand acres and has not been contained at all by firefighters. Now the blaze know as the Bugga Boo Scrub fire is threatening the small community of Moniac. This fire is only separated by a few miles from other wildfires that have already burned more than 100 thousand acres over the past few weeks. Firefighters have that blaze 45 percent under control. A mandatory evacuation of the homes Moniac means that there's a chance the fire could through there as early as midnight.

SE Georgia wildfires update

Wildfires in southeast Georgia have now burned for three weeks, and burned more than 100-thousand acres. Sustained winds yesterday actually helped firefighters in the Okefenokee Swamp. Winds from the northeast pushed the fire deeper into the swamp. That allowed workers to fortify fire-breaks around the swamp--better protecting nearby communities in Ware and Charlton counties.

Wind gusts could affect SE Georgia fires

It's another tough day on the front-lines for firefighters in southeast Georgia, as high winds complicate efforts to battle wildfires--now burning into a third week.

Officials are calling today a "red flag" day--reflecting the combination of high winds and very dry conditions. The forecast had a wind advisory in effect for southeast Georgia, with gusts up to 25-30 miles-per-hour.

All of this is challenging the over 1-thousand combined firefighters on the ground trying to control at least four main wildfires. Nearly 110-thousand acres have now been charred by the various blazes.

The main fires are the two connected in Ware County, having burned 100-thousand acres alone. The one blaze today is reported to be 80-percent contained, with the other only 45-percent under control.

Officials are now watching three smaller fires burning inside the Okefenokee Swamp, which were sparked by recent lightning strikes.

900+ battle Ware County wildfire

The largest wildfire in Georgia history continues to burn near Waycross in southeast Georgia. The so-called Sweat Farm Road/Big Turnaround Fire has engulfed nearly 150 square miles. More than 900 people are working to fire the fire … which is 75% contained. Schools in Ware County have been closed for most of the past two weeks, but were open today. Governor Sonny Perdue has declared a state of emergency for 21 area counties.

$10,000 reward to catch arsonist

There’s a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist believed to have started some of southeast Georgia’s wildfires. The Macon Telegraph reports that the state is offering the reward. A wildfire in Ware County has engulfed 100,000 acres over the past two and a half weeks. It’s cost millions to fight the blaze, and will hit the region’s tree farming economy. An arson team from the state insurance commission will work with local fire authorities to investigate possible arson. Confidential tips can be called in to 1-800-282-5804.

Governor declares state of emergency

Governor Sonny Perdue on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in 21 Georgia counties, as the wildfires rage in the southeastern portion of the state.

The order ensures that state resources are available to help the main agencies involved in fighting the blazes, including the Georgia Forestry Commission and Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Assistance can also be directed to local governments involved.

Fires have now burned over 100-thousand acres in over two weeks.

Governor tours wildfire region

Governor Sonny Perdue on Tuesday took an aerial tour of wildfire-affected areas in southeast Georgia, and said he will seek more federal money to help pay for firefighting costs. He's not sure yet however, how much of the cost will go to state and local governments in those affected areas.

In two weeks time, the largest wildfire in Georgia history has blackened 87-thousand acres of forest and swampland, and has destroyed 22 homes. More than 800 firefighters from Georgia and neighboring states are still on the scene.

There are smaller fires burning in nearby Brantley and Atkinson counties.

Governor tours wildfires, blood donations sought

Governor Sonny Perdue is in southeast Georgia today touring damage from the massive wildfire in Ware County near Waycross. Over the past two weeks the blaze has consumed 87,000 acres of forest and swampland. Another, smaller wildfire is burning in nearby Atkinson County. Today Governor Perdue is expected to declare Ware and Brantley Counties disaster areas so that people who lost their homes can apply for additional state and federal funds. In addition to forcing people out of their homes and schools and roads to close … the wildfires are affecting blood donations across south Georgia. Three blood drives have been canceled in the past two weeks because of the fires. The American Red Cross Blood Bank in Albany is asking eligible donors to give blood to help make up the deficit.

Governor to visit wildfire region

Governor Sonny Perdue will take a tour of southeast Georgia by air later today to get a firsthand look at the damage of wildfires that have been raging for two weeks. So far, the blaze has charred 80-thousand acres of swamp and forest. There are more than 800 firefighters on the scene--it's reported they have the fire about 64-percent contained.

Some smaller fires have now sprung up in Ware and Charlton counties, which have been deemed suspicious enough to call for arson investigators to be brought in. Those experts may have to come from other agencies--the Georgia Forestry Commission's own people are all involved on the lines fighting the fires.

Wildfires to burn at least another week officials say.

Officials say a wildfires that has been raging for 2 weeks is 70 percent contained.

The largest wildfire in Georgia history has consumed over 82-thousand acres of forest and swampland in South Georiga’s Ware county.

Georgia Foresty officials say a few families remain evacuated across U-S Highway One where smaller spot fires ignited this weekend. Firefighters continue to patrol the affected 16-mile stretch of highway. 2 more wildfires broke out early yesterday in nearby counties, but they were not related to larger blaze

Officials say strong winds gusting to 15 miles per hour and extreme drought conditions in south Georgia with no rain in the forecast mean the fire will continue to rage for at least another week.

Wildfires persist, but more federal funds are coming

More federal funds are coming in to help southeast Georgia recover from wildfires. One of the blazes -- the so-called “Kneenocker Fire” – has flared up again in Brantley County, just outside Nahunta. Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved money for the wildfire in neighboring Ware County. Under the agreement, the federal government will pay for 75% of the state's eligible firefighting costs. The wildfires are keeping hundreds of people from getting into their homes. And schools in Ware County were closed again today because of the smoke. The blazes have blackened more than 95 square miles near Waycross since last Monday, and they could spread. The fire in Ware County is only 50% under control even with 700 firefighters at work. 22 homes have been destroyed and hundreds evacuated.

Outdoor burn restrictions now in place for Georgia

The wildfire in southeast Georgia and severe drought with its' grip on the state has forced officials to issue tighter outdoor burn restrictions.

The Georgia Forestry Commission will now deny most requests for burn permits. Alan Dozier is chief of fire protection with the Commission. He says that while a total ban is not in place, permits would be considered only on a special case-by-case basis. Exceptions might be made for a burn relating to a road contruction project, or an area that has received a recent, soaking rain.

GFC officials already have their hands full dealing with the massive wildfire in the Waycross-area, and need to devote most resources there.

Georgia already has annual burn restrictions that go into effect May 1st through September for most counties north and central. That is set to help reduce unhealthy ozone levels.

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.