Okefenokee Park Open; Fire 80% Contained

FOLKSTON, Ga. – Stephen C. Foster State Park in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has reopened for day use after being closed since a massive swamp fire started in late April.

Fire officials said the Honey Prairie Fire, which has spread 152,994, is now 80 percent contained. The Race Pond Fire near Waycross, which started last week and was burning in the northernmost part of the Okefenokee, has spanned 7,855 acres and is 60 percent contained.

Officials said the Honey Prairie fire remains active with re-burn occurring throughout. They said pockets of swamp fuels continue to heat up and burn, expanding the perimeter of the uncontrolled fire edges.

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Short range spotting is occurring, and when the fire hits the southern rough, flame lengths increase to 8-16 feet, or twice the height of the fuel, fire officials said.

Information about the fire and the status of roads and activities in the area affected by the fire is available from a community information hotline in Fargo. Call 912-637-5597 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Previous Stories:

• May 30, 2011: Okefenokee Swamp Fire 75% Contained
• May 29, 2011: Father, Son Among 236 Battling Swamp Fire
• May 28, 2011: Fire Prompts Intermittent Closures Of US 1
• May 26, 2011: Growing Wildfire Closes US 1, CSX Lines
• May 22, 2011: Officials Say Swamp Fire 70% Contained
• May 18, 2011: Crews Burn Ahead Of Okefenokee Fire
• May 17, 2011: After Rain, Okefenokee Swamp Still Burns
• May 13, 2011: Okefenokee Fire Grows To 171 Sq. Miles
• May 12, 2011: Smoke From Fire Spreads 100s Of Miles
• May 11, 2011: Swamp Fire Burns 150 Square Miles
• May 11, 2011: The Effects Of Smoke On Pets Health
• May 10, 2011: Okefenokee Fire Moves Into Florida
• May 9, 2011: Fire Burns 96 Sq. Miles In Okefenokee
• May 9, 2011: 68 Square Miles Burning In Okefenokee
• May 5, 2011: Fire In Okefenokee Covers 18 Square Miles
• May 4, 2011: Slow-Moving Wildfire Grows In Swamp
• May 3, 2011: 1,400-Acre Wildfire Burns In Okefenokee Swamp