Georgia Forestry crews have nearly quelled a brush fire off Midland Road that has burned more than 350 acres and without any help from the brief showers Thursday morning.

The fire, which sent columns of smoke towering into the air and visible for miles, is now reduced to wisps of smoke not even visible above the treetops. Crews have the fire contained in their series of fire breaks, and Effingham firefighters have pulled back their trucks from homes that were once nearest the blaze.

Firefighters are still on guard, however, watching if the mid-afternoon winds will re-stoke the fire.