FOLKSTON, Ga. -- It has been a full two weeks since residents in southeast Georgia have seen a sky that wasn't full of smoke due to relentless wildfires.

On Tuesday, Georgia's governor is expected to scope out the charred area for the second time in just over a week.

The fire that started near Waycross has moved to about 40 miles south toward Folkston.

According to firefighters, the flames have burned more than 80,000 acres and are about 65 percent contained.

"These guys here told us not to worry and that they'd save our house," said Jeanette Cruz who has lived in Ware County for 50 years.

She and her husband Elzria Cruz have evacuated their home twice since the massive fire began more than two weeks ago.

The couple said they remember the last time the swamp burned in 1955, when 318,000 acres were charred.

Elzria Cruz helped fight that fire.

"It was coming out of that swamp, and there was no way of stopping it," he said. "People didn't know what to do -- just like it is now, these fellows don't know what to do."

He said on the front lines of battle against the 1955 fire he was armed with a tractor and with 5 gallons of water on his back during a time when fighting fires was a lot different.

"You didn't have time to get scared," Elzria said.

But people in Charlton County are feeling a bit scared about the fire.

"The sheriff's office pulled up and said that we had two hours to get out of there before the fire was going to reach us," said Folkston resident Tabitha Disher of her experience on Sunday.

Disher followed firefighters' advice and put a sprinkler on her roof before leaving.

The evacuations in Folkston have been lifted, but residents of Race Pond, about 15 miles north of them, are still out of their homes.

Channel 4's Melanie Lawson reported Monday night that fire crews had separated the blaze into two fires with 52,000 acres burning in Ware County and the remainder burning in the Okefenokee Swamp.

Firefighters in Charlton County are preparing for what will happen if the blaze burns out of the swamp and travels southeast.

"It's just been coming this way," said Steve Towne of Charlton County Emergency Services. "It has passed south of the Okefenokee Swamp Park, and we're the next area to it."

More than 800 firefighters remain on the job.

A portion of Charlton County has been evacuated and others are on a fire watch.

Officials said if the fire gets out of the swamp, it would spread quickly and that they are ready to protect structures if that happens.

Officials said the massive blaze started April 16 when a tree fell on a power line. It has spread rapidly through forest parched by drought, destroying 22 homes in the area.

Protect Your Home During Busy Fire Season

With recent dry and windy conditions, it's no wonder brush fires seem to be popping up everywhere.

Fire officials said people don't have to wait until flames spark, saying there's plenty that can be done to fend off future fires.

"I believe this is the driest I have ever seen it in Florida. I've been down here since 1966," said resident Bill Taylor.

Taylor's house was just feet from a blaze that broke out near Middleburg, Fla., on Monday afternoon.

"I was more scared for people than property, making sure everybody gets to road and gets out of it."

The brush fire near Taylor's home was one of three Clay County crews responded to by 6 p.m.

"We're expecting a lot of brush fires. Hoping for some rain," said Clay County Fire Lt. David Kuykendall.

They're not only keeping up hope for rain but also hoping the public helps out and does its part to prevent fires.

"Right now, we have a county-wide burn ban. There's no burning allowed whatsoever. Always keep an eye out for any smoke, call the fire department so we can investigate as soon as possible," Kuykendall said.

Firefighters also said there's a lot residents can do to keep fuel for a fire off personal property by keeping plants trimmed, the grass green and crunchy dry brush away from homes.

Clay County was not the only hot spot in Northeast Florida on Monday. A fire also flared up near a gated community on Jacksonville Southside.

Firefighters said while the weather's hot, Mother Nature is not always to blame.

"Usually, somebody's doing something they're not supposed to -- throwing out cigarettes, sparks, things of that nature," Kuykendall said.