FOLKSTON - Authorities say recent rains in the Okefenokee Swamp region have kept a wildfire from flaring up again and raised water levels, allowing the reopening of some waterways which had been closed to boaters.

Arthur Webster, supervisory ranger of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, tells the Florida Times-Union (http://bit.ly/o7POHn) that the refuse will allow some private boats back in parts of the region.

Webster said those areas include Billy's Lake at Stephen C. Foster State Park and two miles of the Suwannee Canal at Okefenokee National Recreation Area south of Folkston.

Be said boaters will have to be careful to avoid stumps and other hazards since the water is still six to eight inches below normal.