When Fire Threatens Heritage — Lessons from the 2007 Bugaboo Fire (Okefenokee Swamp Fire)

While hurricanes dominate headlines during the fall, November is also peak season for another hazard in Georgia: wildfire.

For cultural heritage institutions, particularly those in rural areas, fire is one of the most destructive threats to collections. The 2007 Okefenokee wildfires, the largest in Georgia’s history, destroyed nearly half a million acres, disrupted communities, and reminded us that heritage isn’t immune to the flames.

For libraries, archives, museums, and historical societies, preparedness for wildfire is about more than protecting buildings—we also need to look to the protection of living collections, and the prevention of fire.

Lessons from the 2007 Okefenokee Fires

On May 19, 2007 the Bugaboo fire crossed from the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge into the northern edge of the Osceola National Forest. The fire burned for months, eventually spreading into Florida, and was only stopped due to heavy sustained rain throughout the region. While the swamp itself is a natural treasure, nearby museums, archives, and community institutions faced evacuation orders, smoke damage, and communication challenges.

What we learned:

• Defensible space matters. Clearing brush and flammable debris near buildings reduces fire risk.

• Digital resilience is critical. Institutions that had offsite backups were able to focus on safety and mitigation instead of worrying about access or loss of records.

• Regional response networks help. Partnerships, like those now strengthened through Georgia Heritage Responders, allow institutions to share expertise and resources quickly. Communication through these channels are important to establish before an event, so that time isn't wasted during an event trying to figure out who should be contacted.

  
  

Practical Steps for Institutions

Think about wildfire readiness as layers of defense—not one action, but a pyramid of preparation:

1. Clear Defensible Space – Manage vegetation and flammable debris within at least 30 feet of buildings.

2. Fire-Resistant Storage – Use flame-resistant containers for critical records; retrofit structures with fireproof materials when possible.

3. Emergency Response Supplies – Keep fire extinguishers, respirators, and emergency kits accessible; train staff in fire protocols.

4. Offsite Digital Backups – Maintain cloud storage and reciprocal backup agreements with partner institutions.

5. Review HVAC turn off protocol for Smoke- Often it's not the fire that is most damaging but the soot and ash from smoke that makes its way in through the HVAC. Review the process and protocol for when to cut off your HVAC if heavy smoke is headed your way.

Wildfire Readiness Checklist for Heritage Institutions

•  Remove dead leaves, brush, and flammable debris from around buildings.

•  Inspect roofs, gutters, and vents for fire-resistant integrity.

•  Store vital records in fire-resistant safes or containers.

•  Maintain up-to-date cloud or offsite backups of digital collections.

•  Review staff evacuation and fire response procedures annually.

•  Establish or renew mutual aid agreements with nearby institutions.

•  Check emergency supplies, including PPE, fire extinguishers, and backup generators.

Closing Thought

Wildfires may seem like a distant threat for many Georgia institutions, and it is still best to be prepared. Just as storms can come ashore far from expected paths, fire can spread quickly across landscapes we think are safe. By building wildfire readiness into disaster plans now, archives, libraries, and museums can protect collections—and communities—before the smoke is on the horizon.