Vast Georgia wildfire almost out after days of soaking rain

June 12, 2017

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- A wildfire that has burned vast acreage near the Georgia-Florida state line since April is nearly extinguished following a week's worth of soaking rains over the Okefenokee Swamp.

Susan Heisey, the supervisory ranger for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, said Monday that the fire is now considered 90-percent contained and there's no active flame, just scattered piles of smoldering debris from where trees were cut down.

The blaze burned about 240 square miles, mostly on public lands. It was sparked by lightning on April 6. Rainfall in May halted the growth of the fire, which got another steady soaking last week.

It was still raining Monday in the Okefenokee, and Heisey said she doubts the fire will rekindle to any serious degree.