GIVING BACK

Photo courtesy of Georgia Forestry Commission & Cooperators
Massive wildfires scorched 580,000 acres of
swamp and timberlands in southeastern Georgia
and northern Florida in April and May.
A Burning Desire to Help
By Steve Cox
AAfter seven weeks of raging in southeastern Georgia and northern Florida,
massive wildfires believed to be “the largest in the southern 48 states” finally
succumbed to soaking rains from Tropical Storm Barry.
The wildfires, fueled by extreme drought conditions, low humidity and
high winds, blackened 580,000 acres or roughly 905 square miles of swamp
and timberlands in both states.
Miraculously, no one died and there were very few injuries, even though
more than 1,500 firefighters and other personnel from about 45 states struggled
to contain them.
The wildfires began on April 16 when a tree fell on a power line south of
Waycross, Ga., about 200 miles southeast of Atlanta. A lightning strike inside
the Okefenokee Swamp on May 5 compounded the problem, igniting a second
blaze in northern Florida.
Before Tropical Storm Barry dropped heavy rain and much-needed relief on
CAP
Squadrons
Support
Firefighting
Efforts
U. S. Civil Air Patrol Volunteer 19 July-August 2007