Georgia swamp fire: evacuation order lifted for nearby towns
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A mandatory evacuation order has been lifted for two south Georgia towns threatened for days last week by a wildfire that had spread outside the boundaries of the neighboring Okefenokee swamp.
Authorities say evacuation orders in place for about a week were rescinded Sunday for the towns of St. George and Moniac on the rim of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Some parts of the fire received up to 2 inches of rain on Saturday as firefighters sought to contain the blaze.
Lightning sparked the fire April 6 in the swamp and it burned more than 150,000 acres (60,700 hectares), mostly in the refuge. More than 800 firefighters and support personnel are fighting the flames.
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Authorities say all nearby roads have since reopened except for those inside the refuge.