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
- 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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