Local

Tourism takes hit from West Mims Fire

April and May are typically the busiest months for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Workers were expecting nearly 100,000 visitors in May alone.

Okefenokee’s main entrance closed April 27 as flames from the West Mims Wildfire spread.

More than 150,000 acres have burned and nearby tourism has taken a hit.

“Hearing about the impact in the local community that are not making their trips to Folkston or Charlton County. Their original intent was to come visit the refuge,” Susie Heisey, who works at the refuge told Action News Jax.

Okefenokee Adventures, a shop inside the refuge,  is experiencing similar struggles.

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“We staff 20 people this time of year so to be closed to the public has a real impact on them being able to pay their bills,” owner Joy Campbell said.

Store employees has shifted gears. They’re packing lunches and preparing hot dinners for crews. More than 800 fire fighters from across the country are trying to contain the flames.

“We know that they’re out there working really hard in dangerous situation," Campbell said. "We know that they have to eat and they have to keep up their calories and their energy. So, being able to do this for them, it’s a good feeling.”

With drought fueling the fire and crippling business, all are hoping for the same solution.

“We need a lot of rain, a lot of water, and hopefully soon,” Campbell said.

Officials said the reopening of the refuge will depend on the fire’s progression. Crews are expected to be fighting the burn until the beginning of November.