FOLKSTON, Ga. (WTXL) - Officials say that the West Mims Fire is still burning on, with only 3 percent of the fire permanently contained.
Fish and Wildlife Service in Georgia said it’s still only 3 percent contained because they can't set up good containment in the swamp.
The northern part of the fire continues to grow because they can’t get tractor trailers, and other necessary equipment back there because of growth and vegetation.
They warn that it is unsafe to hike back there which is common protocol. The only thing they can do now is water dumps by aircraft but it’s not very effective.
Normally the swamp is full of water, so a fire like this wouldn’t usually be a big problem but because the area hasn't gotten rain in two weeks, all the typical wet areas are dry and are fueling the fire.
There are also two rivers that flow out of Okie that are fueled by rainwater, but none that flow in, so that doesn’t help. Officials said there’s also a ton of new ‘Spring’ growth that is sucking up water more than normal.
As far as a strategy is concerned, they’re waiting for it to get to another edge of the swamp so they can get trucks out there to fight it but they can’t do much at the moment.
Over 25,000 acres have been affected so far by the fire.
FL2/GA94 from the agricultural check station at the GA/FL line to U.S. 441 in Fargo will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Residents and visitors are invited to the following meetings to receive an update on the West Mims Fire.
· St. George Elementary School Auditorium in St. George - 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21
· Charlton County Annex Auditorium in Folkston - 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22
