800-acre Camden County wildfire was sparked by lightning strike

CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. – A lightning strike in a marshy area sparked a wildfire in Camden County that has grown to 800 acres and is now 50% contained, according to forestry officials.

Smoke billowing from the wildfire near I-95 in Camden County forced officials to shut down the interstate between Exit 14 and Exit 22 for hours on Wednesday when visibility was reduced to zero.

Crews are calling the fire, which has been registered by the National Interagency Fire Center, the “Camden McCarthy Overpass Fire.”

The Georgia Forestry Commission said the firefighters were having a hard time getting to the marshy area where the fire started with their ground equipment, so GFC helicopters are making water drops.

Photos from Camden County Fire Rescue on Facebook show heavy smoke over the highway near Woodbine. No homes or other structures are being threatened.

But officials are asking drivers to proceed with caution and expect delays in the area.