ST. GEORGE, Ga. – About 100 firefighters from across southeast Georgia and northeast Florida have joined the hundreds already battling the massive West Mims wildfire burning in and around the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
The fire jumped Highway 94 Sunday and advanced toward the southernmost communities in Georgia, prompted a mandatory evacuation for residents of St. George, Canaday Loop and Moniac.
The evacuations include everyone in Charlton County living north, south, east and west of Highway 121.
"First responders are not coming door to door because they are fighting this approaching fire to try to save your homes," said Bruce Young, director of the Charlton County Emergency Management.
Officials said that the fire jumped the highway was contained, but both Highway 121 and Highway 94 are closed in the area. Local residents are being allowed in briefly to retrieve people and livestock.
As of Monday morning, 133,000 acres (207 square miles) have burned since the fire was reported April 6. and it is only 12 percent contained. More than 500 personnel are working to contain the fire and that expanded 5,000 acres on Sunday.
Eight heavy helicopters and four large air tankers worked until sunset Sunday and began again at 7 a.m. Monday. A tractor plow was overrun by fire about 4 p.m. Sunday close to Boggy Road on the south edge of the fire. The tractor became disabled due to being high-centered on a stump. The operator made it out without injury.
The fire incident team said fire behavior was extremely active Sunday and will continue at an elevated level Monday. Officials said the last three days have been a challenge because of what they call "extreme burning conditions," with low humidities and strong winds. They said they are hoping and praying for rain.
Burn bans are in effect in Charlton County, as well as Baker, Bradford, Nassau and Putnam, Flagler and Alachua counties. Outdoor burning without a permit is never allowed without a permit.
Charlton County Schools were closed Monday. The shelter for St. George evacuees was moved to the Camden County Recreation Center at 1050 Wildcat Drive in Kingsland.
One St. George resident who had evacuated returned to his church Monday to help prepare meals for the firefighters. He said this is personal for him:
"These guys come out. They put in a lot of effort. I just, appreciate everything they do because it's a lot of work," Jonathan Hodges said. "I've got cousins and a bunch of guys out here fighting the fire. They're doing everything they can to keep us safe."
Charles McCoy is one of several choosing to stay behind despite mandatory evacuations.
"I'm not going to leave," McCoy said. "I've got my wife, my grandkids and everybody out of town. Me and my youngest son are still here and we're going to stay here."
Smoke spreads health concerns
The fire along the Georgia-Florida line prompted a dense smoke advisory over the weekend, from the immediate area east to Nassau and northern Duval counties. Smoke and ash was visible up to 40 miles from the fire lines.
Allergist Sunil Joshi said people with chronic bronchitis, asthma and even heart disease should be on high alert.
"Unfortunately, until we get a whole bunch of rain to knock out these fires, it is something we have to pay attention to," Joshi said. "The weather is great this time of year and we want to be outside, but if you can smell the smoke, or if you see the ashes, it is really to your benefit to minimize that outdoor exposure."
Joshi said if you're having to be out in the smoky conditions, be sure to consult your doctor. He said you should take nasal sprays and inhalers with you at all times.
