Many residents of a small southeast Georgia community are waiting despite orders to evacuate after a wildfire burning in the Okefenokee Swamp crept to the edge of town.
"First Responders are NOT coming door-to-door", one refugee said via Facebook, as they are entirely focused on putting out the fire.
The West Mims fire burns in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Folkston, Ga., in a photo released April 29, 2017.
The fire has burned over 133,000 acres and was originally caused by a lightning strike on April 6 at the wildlife refuge located in Folkston, Georgia.
High temperatures and low humidity are providing conditions ripe for the fire's growth, while sea breezes from the east and west are anticipated to create light, unpredictable winds, the team said.
About 79 people have been evacuated from the unincorporated community of St. George.
He says the techniques used between controlled burns and wildfire containment are very similar. Mandatory evacuations are now in effect for the St. George, Canaday Loop and Moniac areas.
At 4 p.m. Sunday, a tractor plow in the southern area of the fire became disabled when it caught on a stump, according to a refuge statement.
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"There is a lot of stress there, anxious about people's homes and livelihoods and all that", said Zach Davis, St. George Resident.
Some 535 personnel had been assigned to fight the fire, along with 10 helicopters, 55 wildland fire engines, bulldozers and other equipment, the statement said.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fire Management Division early Tuesday estimated the fire grew to more than 140,000 acres, though the number is not yet official. Boatright said it will stay open indefinitely.
The wildfire which started nearly a month ago has burned an estimated 1,000 acres of private land so far. 75 homes have been evacuated in St. George.
The shelter for St. George evacuees is at the Camden County Recreation Center at 1050 Wildcat Drive in Kingsland, Georgia.
Officials with the Charlton County Fire Department went door to door Monday to notify residents who didn't learn about the evacuation order through local or social media.
"It's going to have to get pretty close to the house, I think, before we just head out", James Burnsed said.
Television stations in northeast Florida reported smoke could be seen across Nassau, Clay and Duval counties, and officials urged residents to stay indoors.
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