News Release

Cumberland Island Whitney Fire at 102 acres

Smoke rises through the pine canopy on Cumberland Island after lightning ignites fire in the wilderness.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 1, 2019

Contact: Nick Roll, 912-882-4336x252

Whitney Fire – Fire at 102 acres after evening rains slow spread on Sunday.

The lighting caused Whitney fire which started Saturday, June 27th, is currently 102 acres. The fire received 4/10" of rain at 5:30 PM Sunday evening which decreased fire behavior and fire spread. The fire is approximately 2/10 of a mile south of the North Cut Rd.

The following closures of National Park Service facilities are in effect:

• North Cut Rd.
• Main Rd at the junction of South Cut Rd, Main Rd. is closed from here to the north.
• Killman Field Trail
• Bunkley Trail
• Rollercoaster Trail north of South Cut Road.
• Brickhill Trail
• Terrapin Point Trail
• Lake Whitney Trail

No evacuations of park visitors or island residents have been ordered and structure protection is in place at the Brickhill Bluff Campsite and in the High Point - Half Moon Bluff Historical District.

Fire activity consisted of light smoke and smoldering throughout the morning on Monday. Fire intensity is expected to increase as temperatures continue to rise and humidity levels drop in the afternoon.

Visitation to the South end of the island is not expected to be impacted by closures or smoke. Minimal smoke impacts are being observed on the north end of the island but could increase with fire activity and shifting winds.
 
The National Park Service is coordinating an interagency response to the Whitney fire along with support from partners with the US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, and Florida Forestry Service.

Safety of island visitors, residents, employees, and structures is the primary concern. Please follow all signage as posted and speak with a Cumberland Island Ranger if you have questions regarding your visit (912)-882-4336 x 254.

This fire is in the general area of two previous fires, one in 1981 and the South Cut Fire from 2008. For the past two years Cumberland Island fire management staff have put an emphasis on creating defensible space around structures on the north end of the island.

Fire is an essential part of the ecosystem on Cumberland Island. The fire is currently burning in saw palmetto, yellow pine and oak scrub. These species have adapted to fire and are dependent on it for reproduction and to establish a healthy succession and diversity of plant and animal life. 

Cumberland Island is the largest barrier island off the coast of Georgia, encompassing more than 36,000 acres of maritime forests, salt marsh and beaches. The island is also home to over 9,800 acres of congressionally designated wilderness. The island’s natural and cultural resources provide a rich and diverse habitat for wildlife and offer a glimpse into the long history of coastal Georgia. The seashore is accessible by pedestrian-only passenger ferry from the historic community of St. Marys.