The West Mims Fire that began inside the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge no longer shows signs of smolder or smoke.
The fire is 99 percent contained, Supervisor Refuge Ranger Susie Heisey said Monday afternoon.
“For the past nine days there has been absolutely no observable smoke or smoldering,” Heisey said.
Consistent showers have reduced the workforce assigned to the fire. About 15 to 20 U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees are doing suppression repair to the existing fire lines with the goal to break down berms and put the land back to its original state as much as possible.
At its peak in mid-May, as many as 1,700 firefighters and volunteers were utilized to battle the wildfire, which had consumed at least 152,515 acres by June 11, according to the latest online update at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5153.
The lightning-induced fire started about 7 miles east of Fargo, Ga. within the wildlife refuge April 6.
In the early days of the fire, refuge officials had said it would take tropical storm rains to douse the fire enough for containment. A fire containment date of Nov. 1 was issued.
In recent weeks, steady rains and thunderstorms have descended on areas of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, causing the fire to end earlier than expected.
“Luckily we’ve quelled the wildfire threat,” said Jacksonville Weather Service Meteorologist Andrew Sashy. “Luckily we’ve had rainfall hit that area.”
Parts of the fire area have received 12 inches of rain in the past six to eight weeks, according to Heisey. “Fire potential is low because of the rain,” she added.
Even if lightning were to again strike, increased humidity has decreased the threat of fire significantly.
As for the nature of the West Mims Fire, Heisey said it was fast moving and wind-driven.
“Just as quickly as it came up, it diminished,” she said. “None of us were expecting a prolonged rain event.”
As dry, shifting winds caused the fire’s rapid movement, firefighters also shifted coverage areas to battle the fire. Relative humidity, usually in the 40-plus percent range, was at 15 or 18 percent, contributing to the fire’s spread, according to Heisey.
“That was very unusual and created some extreme fire behavior,” she added.
The fire has since become a reference point for all involved.
“Each time is a learning experience. And you hopefully carry forward those lessons,” Heisey said. “We plan to continue to study what worked and didn’t work.”
Other plans include maintaining communication to private landowners, wildlife officials, state entities and local fire departments.
Although nothing of an adverse nature transpired from a communications aspect, Heisey said, “You can never communicate too much. Hopefully that’s something we can continue to do and do well.”
Starting this week, overnight camping reservations returned.
Heisey urged residents to revisit the refuge to observe wildlife and the natural surroundings.
“The swamp water level is still below average,” she said. “The water is rain-fed and (the swamp) is in need of more. We hope to get more rain to fill the water levels.”