Terry Richards | The Valdosta Daily TimesFirefighters unload material at the Stephen C. Foster State Park Monday. The park was closed Thursday due to concerns from a growing wildfire nearby.

FARGO — A nearby state park has been ordered closed and campers told to leave as a fire in the Okefenokee Swamp continues to grow.

The Stephen C. Foster State Park, located in Charlton County, closed its gates to new visitors Friday, said Susie Heisey, supervising park ranger for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The state park is located entirely within the refuge.

“Campers already there are being allowed to stay overnight (Friday) but have to be out by 9 a.m. Saturday,” she said.

The blaze, sparked by a lightning strike, had grown to 25,464 acres Friday and is only 3 percent contained, the refuge said in a statement.

Heisey said there was no immediate danger to the park but there was a chance the fire might move in the park’s direction Friday.

“We’re just planning ahead,” she said, “trying to get visitors out in plenty of time.”

Aside from the state park and its boat basin, other closures within the national refuge include the Chesser Island boardwalk and homestead and overnight stops for the Wilderness Canoe Trail.

Florida State Road 2 / Ga. 94 will be closed from the agricultural station at the state line to U.S. 441 in Fargo from 10 p.m.-10 a.m. due to smoke and equipment concerns. Other road closures will be made as needed.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.