Industries in Savannah and Port Wentworth, Georgia, stand above the horizon less than three miles away from this overlook, and a wildfire in Savannah National Wildlife Refuge could threaten those communities. Wildfire produces tons of smoke and ash that spread for great distances, and airborne particles of organic matter and carbon in the smoke are pollutants that threaten people with asthma and other respiratory ailments. Smoke pollution also affects transportation because at night smoke settles near the ground, lowering visibility on highways and at airports. To help prevent wildfire and air pollution in nearby communities, the Fish and Wildlife Service uses prescribed burning. When necessary, trained crews burn this marsh and adjacent lands to reduce the accumulation of dry grass and wood, significantly reducing the chances of wildfire and widespread smoke. Prescribed burns are short-lasting and are scheduled so that smoke disperses away from populated areas.