Georgia wildfire sends smoke afar

WAYCROSS, Ga. - An overnight wind shift drove smoke from the wildfire in southeast Georgia to Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., officials said yesterday.

The wildfire, believed to have started from a downed power line April 16, is 30 percent contained, but continues to spread, Sharon Dolliver of the Georgia Forestry Commission said.

An additional 10,000 acres burned yesterday, and the total burn is 55,000 acres, or 85 square miles.

Another commission spokesman, Eric Mosley, said firefighters were able to lay a lot of firebreaks yesterday.

The fire destroyed about 18 homes and forced 1,000 people to evacuate earlier this week.

Five thousand more were urged to evacuate their homes voluntarily Friday because of potential health hazards from heavy smoke blowing into Waycross.