Local Rangers still helping fight West Mims Fire in Okefenokee

Firefighters are still battling the wildfire in the Okefenokee Swamp, known as the West Mims fire, and have gotten help from local rangers with the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Gary Roberts with the Georgia Forestry Commission said crews and equipment from their Lavonia station were sent down in April and stayed for about six weeks.

“Our equipment was down there for six weeks,” said Roberts. “We pulled two week rotations from our staff here at this office. They got a little bit of rainfall so they sent our truck home for service because the conditions are so rough. It takes a toll on our equipment and our people.”

Roberts said that working on this fire is tough, but that his crew has stepped up by volunteering to go.

“When you’re sent down there you work 16 days straight, 16 hours days,” said Roberts. “It’s rough. The heat index right now is right around 105, so it’s not a vacation. It’s pretty extreme.”

The West Mims fire started in the Okefenokee at the beginning of April from a lightning strike and was originally in the swamp. However, high winds blew sparks across the fire lines causing flames to threaten homes in the area.

Since then it has consumed 145,315 acres total. 113,170 acres of federally owned land and 32,145 acres on private and industrial property.

According to Roberts, the fire is currently 65 percent contained and the projected 100 percent containment is December 1.

Roberts said they will be dealing with the fire all summer unless a major storm comes.