Top Stories - Wildfire Spreads in Southeast Georgia

Gusty winds fueled the spread of wildfires today in southeast Georgia, where about 58 square miles of forest were burning and flames swept closer to the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge.

[Smokey]

How many crews are working this fire? How terrible it will be if this burns the Okefenoke Park, please don't let this happen!

[leah]

Smokey wrote:

How many crews are working this fire? How terrible it will be if this burns the Okefenoke Park, please don't let this happen!

they said : "About 100 firefighters from neigbhoring states arrived Friday to help battle a wildfire that has consumed 58 square miles of woodlands and 18 homes over five days." (off news4jax.com )

i think its up to 19 homes today..
oh i know, my 3 year old daughter was asking to go to the swamp today, and when she was told why we couldnt was pretty upset
the swamp is so important to us, for many reasons
i am not sure how much damage there has been but they sure have done alot to protect it!
so far i havent heard the park it's self has been burned, but rather the forests around it and the obeda( sp?) refuge took a hit to the board walk but they saved the rest.. i heard after they were back out there fighting to save it again

i think its an on going battle
but they have been doing a great job protecting the swamp

[Carolyn]

We need to Pray for rain. We, slso need to Pray for our fire fighters and all the volunteers that are out there doing what ever needs to be done.
God Bless all these people and keep them safe.

[jlf-fire mom]

My son was there Weds and Thurs. he serves as a fire fighter with the Department of Corrections. Yes, he is a prisoner, yet he gives it all when it comes to this job, he loves it. The Department of Corrections needs to be thanked for having such a great program, that not only uses the people within its system, but it trains & educates them. It has truly changed his life, made him a better person. He was so proud to say he was there to help the people of Ware County GA, and is wanting to go back as soon as the word comes!!

[Hawk Smessaert]

I am shooting in the GA State Sporting Clay Championship in Folkston at the Okefenokee Sporting Clay Club. I wonder if that area is affected? How about the smoke, is it heavy enough for someone who has a lung problem?

[VICKI JESUP GA]

SMOKE advisory out for Jesup ga, people with lung or heart conditons or asthma are being told to stay in as much as possible........

[leah]

Hawk Smessaert wrote:

I am shooting in the GA State Sporting Clay Championship in Folkston at the Okefenokee Sporting Clay Club. I wonder if that area is affected? How about the smoke, is it heavy enough for someone who has a lung problem?

it really all depends on the wind
sometimes its not bad but awful for places like jacksonville, then other times it settles in here and is pretty nasty stuff
i have allergies and it has kept me in a head ach
but when it gets thick it is rough on the throat n eyes.. i even had to use an inhaler and thats very rare for me

[leah]

VICKI JESUP GA wrote:

SMOKE advisory out for Jesup ga, people with lung or heart conditons or asthma are being told to stay in as much as possible........

yup.. with the schools being out here iv got to try and keep the kids inside all day just to aviod the chance it will effect them

[MAD HATER]

PEOPLE

LET NATURE TAKE IT'S COURSE!!!!

SOMETIMES THINGS HAVE TO BURN IN ORDER TO CLEAN THE EARTH FOR NEW GROWTH!!!

IT IS LIKE PEOPLE PASSING AND BABIES BEING BORN!!!

IT'S GODS WAY!!!!!

THAT AREA IS SOOO RED NECK IT IS NOT FUNNY....MAYBE THIS FIRE WILL RID SOME METH HOUSES, POT FARMS, AND DOG FIGHTERS.

I AM SORRY THAT IS NOT ALMA THAT IS NOT GETTING BURNED DOWN...WHAT A HOLE THAT PLACE IS!!

I HOPE THAT THE FIRE GOES RIGHT THROUGH SANDY PEELER AND COLEY PEELER'S PROPERTY FOR WHAT THEY DID TO MY FATHER...(JOHN)

[MAD HATER]

RIP JOHN PEELER

[South Georgia Girl]

You're stupid Mad Hater. I'm from S. Georgia, and there's more to it than Red Necks.

[firefighterwife]

I think you are using this as a way to deal with a personal problem. My husband would be home with his family if not for the fires but things happen for a reason and I believe no good comes from fires. whether it be a bad, poor, or rich, or good person's house no one should have to loose what they have to this. think of it as if it were your house at risk of fire and my husband there to help you would you call him a red neck or better yet would you like him calling you one think before you speak. please every one reading pray for all the men and that they come home safe.

[Smiles]

We are praying for all!
I requested a prayer on our forum for you'll
smiles
(photoshop elements forum)

[regina dickerson]

Leah
Im from waycross but living in augusta how bad is the fires now. I have family and friends all over the county.

[yankee]

Yes, not all are southerns are rednecks- - if you have a personal problem with someone contact them and not use this sight- what comes around goes around- I hope you pray for the ones in danger.

[Jess]

Hawk Smessaert wrote:

I am shooting in the GA State Sporting Clay Championship in Folkston at the Okefenokee Sporting Clay Club. I wonder if that area is affected? How about the smoke, is it heavy enough for someone who has a lung problem?

Hey,
my grandmothers house is a mile from the entrance. It looks like they will be evacuated tonight. She said it looked like it was snowing there and some of the ash is the size of quarters. It would probably not be a good idea to go if you have a lung prblem. they have cancelled some events there, ie school.. you might want to check beforegoing

[marie]

I live in Hilliard, Fl and today was the first day we have seen ash flying in the air. I know that this cannot be very healthy. May God bless and protect all those who are trying to manage this fire and all of those who are in its path.

[kammie braverman]

Hi i am kammie braverman and this fire is killing my home town write know i am in Parachut,Co i just wanted to let u that u guys should get more details on the fire.

[leah]

regina dickerson wrote:

Leah
Im from waycross but living in augusta how bad is the fires now. I have family and friends all over the county.

im sorry i didnt get back with you sooner..
here is the link for updates

http://www.satilla.org/fireupdate/default.asp

they seem to have more contained than before
but its still big .. they are trying to keep it from jumping US 1 last I heard
the smoke today has been awful
they closed the school again.. sigh

im sure your family and friends are all safe, no lives have been lost.. only propery
the fire and police dept have been real good about getting people out of harms way
.. this community owes them alot

id book mark that link, they update it everyday

[leah]

MAD HATER wrote:

PEOPLE
LET NATURE TAKE IT'S COURSE!!!!
SOMETIMES THINGS HAVE TO BURN IN ORDER TO CLEAN THE EARTH FOR NEW GROWTH!!!
IT IS LIKE PEOPLE PASSING AND BABIES BEING BORN!!!
IT'S GODS WAY!!!!!
THAT AREA IS SOOO RED NECK IT IS NOT FUNNY....MAYBE THIS FIRE WILL RID SOME METH HOUSES, POT FARMS, AND DOG FIGHTERS.
I AM SORRY THAT IS NOT ALMA THAT IS NOT GETTING BURNED DOWN...WHAT A HOLE THAT PLACE IS!!
I HOPE THAT THE FIRE GOES RIGHT THROUGH SANDY PEELER AND COLEY PEELER'S PROPERTY FOR WHAT THEY DID TO MY FATHER...(JOHN)

what is wrong with you?

yes, wildfires are natures way of rebirth and renewal
but to sit there and say all that chit about red necks
you need to stop and think about all those who are good honest people that have lost their homes and all those fighting the fire that are in harms way

a fire isnt going to pick who it effects
and the truth is, it is effecting EVERYONE!!!

you talkin alot of bs about what town is what.. i was going to throw out some bs about yours but hell.. i wont go down to your level

i have family in alma, and find those remarks ignorant
grow up and stop all your hate, before it finds its way back to you