Dozens Evacuated As Wildfire Spreads In Georgia

FOLKSTON, Ga. (AP) — A fire official says a wildfire in the Okefenokee Swamp is continuing to spread in southern Georgia.

Spokesman John Nichols of the West Mims Fire Incident Command team says the size of the wildfire has increased by 11,000 acres early Sunday. He says the fire in total has covered 129,856 acres as winds are pushing it southeast toward the St. George community.

Several dozen people in St. George have already been evacuated, but a county administrator couldn't immediately say how many residents might be ordered to leave the newly affected area.

The wildfire was sparked by lightning April 6 and has since burned more than 150 square miles on public lands.

Nichols says there have been no reported injuries. He says 12 percent of the fire has been contained. He projects the fire will be contained and controlled by Nov. 1, depending on the weather.

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