Visitor opportunities resume at Okefenokee National Refuge following West Mims Fire With rainfall comes higher water levels

The West Mims Fire was a lightningcaused fire, was first reported on April 6, 2017. The fire spread to cover to more than 152,000 acres and continues burning on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent lands.

Due to recent rain events, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will be able to resume nearly all visitor services at the Main Entrance (Suwannee Canal Recreation Area) and the Stephen C. Foster State Park. Fire personnel will remain working around the refuge, conducting suppression repair efforts on the over 500 miles of line constructed during the West Mims Fire. The fire will continue to be patrolled and monitored until it reaches 100 percent containment, but recent weather events and decreased fire activity allow fire crews to conduct the necessary repair work on both the refuge and private lands.

Beginning on Thursday June 8, the Main Entrance to the refuge near Folkston, Ga. will reopen the public boat launch to day-use visitor

access including launching a boat with small motor (less than 10HP) or canoes and kayaks. Visitors may also rent canoes and kayaks from the onsite concession, Okefenokee Adventures. The Chesser Island Homestead and Chesser Island Boardwalk will remain closed until the structure protection equipment can be removed and the facilities inspected for visitor safety.

Boat access to the Okefenokee via the Stephen C. Foster State Park near Fargo will resume once water levels can support boat access. Please contact Stephen C. Foster State Park at 912-637-5274 for the most up-to-date information on visitor opportunities available at this location.

The overnight canoe stops will remain closed as water levels are still low in the Okefenokee, and reservations are not being taken at this time.

Additionally, the burn ban has been lifted on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors are now authorized to use charcoal grills in designated picnic areas and are authorized to have campfires in approved campfire rings (Stephen C. Foster State Park).

All visitors should use extreme caution while visiting the refuge and adhere to all posted signs and information provided by refuge and concession staff as well as firefighters working in the area. Visitors should be aware that there is still active fire in portions of the swamp and firefighters will be working in and around the refuge entrance for the foreseeable future.