About 200 Georgia, Florida and U.S. firefighters are trying to control a wildfire of 20,000-plus acres in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, officials said.
A lightning strike started the blaze, known as the West Mims Fire, on April 6, according to Wendy Burnett of the Georgia Forestry Commission. The fire is about 3 percent contained.
“Crews will monitor and patrol for spots across containment lines and work to contain any spots with resources on the ground as well as aerial resources,” according to a forestry commission update.
No injuries have been reported.
Firefighters are using two helicopters, 17 engines, five bulldozers and 27 tractor plows, the forestry commission said.
Smoke covered most of Clinch County on Monday and could be found over Lowndes County, the Valdosta Daily Times reported.
A burn ban is in place within the refuge, which spans about 400,000 acres, including northeast Florida. The ban includes fires at designated campsites and charcoal grills.
Overnight stops are closed on the Wilderness Canoe Trail, the forestry commission said. Day-use canoeists and guided boat tours will still be able to access trails.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also involved in battling the fire.
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