Officials are ordering evacuations of about 60 homes in Ware County as a wildfire has quickly spread across 8 square miles in a single day.

Georgia Forestry Commission spokesman Eric Mosley says the evacuations were ordered Thursday after the blaze had burned more than 5,000 acres a few miles west of Waycross.

Emergency officials say firefighters from surrounding communities have poured in to protect homes among the rural timberland that's fueling the wildfire.

Meanwhile another wildfire that officials had thought was contained — the Racepond fire in neighboring Charlton County — flared up jumped containment lines Thursday to burn an additional 4,500 acres. Officials said that fire has now burned about 23 square miles.

Georgia Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ken Davis says residents should prepare to evacuate on short notice if necessary.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized funds to help fight two fires in south Georgia.

Federal assistance will go to the Racepond Fire in Charlton County and the Sweat Farm Again Fire in Ware County.

Tags: Waycross, FEMA, Charlton County, Ware County, 2011 wildfires, Georgia fires