The Hazy Skies Over Georgia

They are saying that the wildfires in the Southeast Georgia and Georgia's Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge are the largest in the history of the state of Georgia. I can believe this. Living north of the wildfires we are getting their smoke even here. The skies have been hazy and overcast for a week or so. When you step outside there is a faint smell of wood smoke. It is a bit unsettling at best.

We have had a dry spring here in Georgia so it is no wonder they are having problems putting out wildfires that have now even crossed over into the state of Florida. We here in Liberty County, Georgia are under drought response level 2. We can only use outdoor water on certain days, within certain time frames, under certain conditions. We are all looking heaven wards for any signs at all for rain. So far we only have had rain once in the past seven days and that was only a sprinkling at best.

Along with little rain in Georgia firefighters are now battling the high winds we have been experiencing. Both of these factors make the fires hard to contain and put out. The high winds have caused rapid spreading of the fire. The fire is now threatening to cross over into Florida.

Roads have been forced to be closed to include a six mile section of U.S. 1 which connects Jacksonville, Florida and Waycross, Georgia. A fourteen mile section of Georgia 94, which runs in and out of the Georgia-Florida line, has also been closed as well. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has been closed to visitors as well as the headquarters being closed as a precaution. There have also been evacuations of homes as well as many homes on standby for evacuations if the fire is not contained and threatens the homes.

This wildfire in Georgia was started by a tree falling onto power lines. This causing sparks and eventually the largest wildfire in the state of Georgia was started. It is suspected that several small fires that flared up in the surrounding area were caused by arson. One hundred thousand acres have been left charred by this fire. Though the acreage that has burned inside of the Okefenokee National Wildlife refuge is not in this total.

I was taught that wildfires are a way in which nature renews old growth. And while this is true, it is heartbreaking to see this fire threaten the refuge as well as homes and communities in its pathways. Firefighters risk their lives to help contain and put out these fires. Often times fire crews come from across the country to help. These brave men and women are one of a kind in their dedication.

We need to realize that the Georgia Wildfires are more than just a blip on the news, but something that affects many people. It affects the firefighters as those first in line. It effects those whose homes and businesses are being threatened. The wildfires in Georgia affect those in surrounding communities, both in Georgia and Florida that are dealing with smoke from the fire. The wildfire is raging in a National Refugee also. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is home to several endangered species to include the red-cockaded woodpecker, American bald eagle and the wood stork. It is also home to the American Alligator that was formerly listed as an endangered species.

While we may not be able to do anything personally to put out this fire it is important to always keep fire safety in mind. That arson may have caused several smaller fires is a possibility. Even a careless act on a human's part can burn hundreds of acres.