West Mims Fire Activity Quiet | 14

/ The NW Fire Blog (TM)

WEST MIMS FIRE

The West Mims Fire is located approximately  2.5 miles northeast of the Eddy Fire Tower in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and 7 miles east of Fargo, Georgia.

The wildfire started on April 6, 2017 from lightning.

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Update 14 – May 15, 2017

A long helicopter, the blades stopped in motion by the camera, is dragging a red rubberized bucket of water to be dropped on the West Mims Fire.

  • 152,147 acres.
  • 18% containment status.
  • 944 personnel assigned.
  • Fire activity was quiet today.
  • Fuel moisture was high enough that little growth occurred.
  • Some areas still had smoldering and creeping in heavy fuels and dozer berms.
  • High potential for initial attach from recent lightning activity.
  • Expected 100% containment status on 11/1/2017.

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Update 13 – May 12, 2017

  •  148,303 acres.
  • 16% containment status
  • 804 personnel assigned.
  • Fire behavior is very active, running, spotting and flanking.
  • There has been a strong push from the Southeast to the  Northeast across the interior of the swamp and South of Bugaboo Island, as well as other areas.
  • Unified Command:  The Southern Area Type 1 Red Incident Management Team is managing the fire with Georgia Forestry Commission, Greater Okefenokee Association of Landowners (GOAL), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Forest Service, and U.S. Forest Service.
  •  As of 1812 Hours, mandatory evacuations for GA Bend, St. George, Canady Loop and Moniac area.

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Update 12 – May 12, 2017

  • Conditions are hot and dry.
  •  The fire is most active on the West side of St. George, South of GA 94 and North of Rd. 8.  2 fingers of the wildfire on the SE perimeter have multiple spot fires.
  • Firefighters are currently holding and are working to improve containment lines.
  • Fire behavior is currently active, running, flanking and spotting.
  • An additional four bulldozers and operators, along with additional personnel have been hired, in case the wind shift to the West towards Fargo, Georgia.
  • Resources showing attached to this incident are:  Southern Area Type 1 IMT, GA Forestry Commission,  Greater Okefenokee Association of Landowners, USFWS, FLFS and the USFS.
  • About 700 firefighters from 36 States, including DC and Puerto Rico are said to be here helping.
  • 144,073 acres.
  • 15% containment status.
  • 500 structures threatened due to fire head SE towards Jacksonville.

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Update 11 – May 6, 2017

  • 135,391 acres
  • Towns St. George, GA have been added to mandatory evacuation order list
  •  A temporary shelter has been established in the gymnasium of the Folkston Elementary School at 34754 Okefenokee Drive, Folkston, Georgia.
  • 12% containment status

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Update 10 – May 5, 2017

  • 111,650 acres
  • 12% containment status
  • Fire in holding pattern
  • 492 personnel
  • 2 crews. 50 engines. 6 helicopters. 6 bulldozers. 38 tractor plows. 2 – 20 person Hot Shots.
  • TFR in effect including unmanned aircraft and drones.
  • $12.4 Million for fire suppression costs to date.

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Update 9 – May 4, 2017

  • 111,650 acres.
  • 12% containment status.
  • 503 personnel
  • Fire behavior is active with spotting, flanking and backing.
  • Firefighters will continue putting out spot fires, monitor and patrol for any fire starts.

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Updates 4-8 – April 29, 2017 – May 2, 2017

  • Located 16 miles SE of Fargo, GA
  • 100,517 acres
  • 18% containment status
  • Working against NW winds and 19% RH level.
  • Back firing ops to continue.
  • 466 personnel
  • Assigned equipment/resources:  53 engines, 5 bulldozers, 34 tractor  plows and 2 Interagency Hot Shots.

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Update 3 – April 28, 2017

  • 86,868 acres.
  • 8% contained.
  • Unified Command: The Georgia Forestry Commission Type 2 Incident Management Team is managing the fire with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Forest Service, and U.S. Forest Service.
  • 488 personnel
  • Resources/Equipment:  6 helicopters, 56 engines, 6 bulldozers, 35 tractor plows, 2 Interagency Hotshot crews and various overhead personnel.
  • Strategic firing operations in effect, while addressing windy conditions.

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Update 2 – April 17, 2017

  • 265 personnel
  • 21,308 acres destroyed
  • 3% contained
  • Timber (grass/understory) fire fuels
  • Equipment on site:  Tree cutter (private contractor), 1 FWS Masticator, 1 FWS Maintainer-FWS, 12 FWS Hydrotracs
  • Resources:  12 FWS helicopters, 17 engines, 5 dozers, 27 tractor plows and 1 Hotshot crew.
  • The fire is in Unified Command with the Georgia Forestry Commission Type 2 Incident Management Team assisting in managing the fire with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Forest Service, and U.S. Forest Service.
  • The fire behavior is currently active, running and has short-range spotting.

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Update 1 – April 10, 2017

  • Located 2.5 miles NNE of Eddy Tower on south end of Okefenokee NWR in Georgia.
  • The fire started on April 6, 2017, reported at 1700 hours PDT.
  • Fire Behavior is  active, wind driven runs and creeping.
  • New Fire.
  • Resources en route.

Fire Images | Courtesy of Inciweb

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