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West winds continue to blow smoke from sections of the smoldering and creeping fire burning in the northwest corner of the Okefenokee NWR. High temperatures with very spotty showers and thunderstorms are prolonging this fire event. Fire behavior specialists indicate that the fire is burning into the dry peat beds of the swamp. "Without significant widespread rain, this fire will continue to burn for sometime to come. These scattered showers may help water gardens and lawn areas but they have not brought enough rainfall to replenish the swamp and extinguish this fire" commented Refuge Manger, Curt McCasland.

The Georgia Forestry Commission’s Type 3 Incident Management team led by Incident Commander Steve Gray continues to direct resources to monitor the progress of the fire and provide for initial attack of any fire escapes or new fire starts. Firefighters continue to deal with high temperatures, high relative humidity, hazardous driving conditions, and continued threats by electrical storms in and around the swamp.

Firefighters have an exemplary safety record on this long running incident. The most persistent and dangerous activity they face daily is vehicle travel on highways as well as dirt backroads. Travel on the mostly dirt roads surrounding the refuge can be difficult as a result of continuous traffic over soft sandy soils. The challenges to the firefighters utilizing these roads increased when pulpwood cutting crews arrived to harvest the burned over commercial forests. A newer challenge is the increasing use of these same roads by hunting club members scouting habitat and running deer dogs in preparation for the fall hunt. "Everyone has to realize that we are all in this situation together and it will take a real cooperative effort by all parties involved to continue safe and efficient access to these remote areas" commented Refuge Manager, Curt McCasland.

Wildfire within the refuge has decreased to the point where the major entrances are reopened. Visitors to the east entrance, 11 miles southwest of Folkston, GA, off GA 121/23 South, are encouraged to stop by the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, where trained interpreters can help you plan your visit. The visitor center is open 9 am – 5 pm daily.

Also at the east entrance, Okefenokee Adventures is open every day from ½ hour before sunrise to 7:30 p.m. for guided interpretive tours as well as canoe and kayak rentals.

On the west side, Stephen C. Foster State Park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can take guided interpretive motor boat tours or paddle canoes or kayaks on Billy’s Lake. Due to low water levels, the state park and refuge are closed for private motorboats.

At the north end of the swamp, Okefenokee Swamp Park is open on a limited basis for the Eye on Nature Show and Train Tours. Boat tours are currently unavailable due to low water conditions. The Swamp Park is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.