Latest news with #BigRidgeFire
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Big Ridge Fire in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest largely contained
The Brief Big Ridge Fire now mostly contained; only hot spots remain. Rain aided firefighting efforts; area closures still in place. Officials seek tips about suspicious activity on March 22. CLAYTON, Ga. - Fire crews have made significant progress battling the Big Ridge Fire, which just days ago was only 8% contained and burning intensely. Thanks in part to recent rainfall, firefighters now say only a few hot spots remain. However, a closure order remains in effect around the fire zone to ensure the safety of both firefighters and the public. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity on March 22 to come forward with information. PREVIOUS STORIES Big Ridge fire nears full containment as crews focus on hot spots and repairs Meeting held to update residents on Big Ridge Fire in Rabun County Georgia's national forests enforce campfire ban amid rising wildfire threats Big Ridge Fire in Rabun County continues to grow, according to officials Crews have started to rehab the areas damaged by the wildfire.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Meeting held to update residents on Big Ridge Fire in Rabun County
RABUN COUNTY, Ga. - Firefighters are making slow progress on the Big Ridge Fire in Rabun County, which has burned more than 2,700 acres and remains only 8% contained as of the latest update on Sunday. What we know Nearly 250 personnel are battling the blaze, working both on the ground and from the air to bring the fire under control. Over the weekend, emergency management officials met to coordinate suppression efforts and answer questions from concerned residents. A specialized Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) team has also been deployed to the fire zone. The REMS unit is tasked with quickly transporting firefighters off the fireline for medical treatment in the event of an emergency. As firefighting efforts continue, local officials are urging residents to sign up for "CodeRED" alerts—a free emergency notification system provided by Rabun County. The system allows emergency managers to issue mass alerts to residents with critical safety information. Click here for more information about the fire. Click here to sign up for CODE RED alerts.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Forest service still working to contain Big Ridge Fire in Rabun County
As of late Sunday morning, the Big Ridge Fire in Rabun County was about 8% contained. The U.S. Forest Service - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, said that thousands of acres were impacted and almost 250 personnel were working to contain the flames. The forest service said firefighters have made good progress putting the fires out since Saturday, though it continued to advance on the southwest side before firefighters 'successfully conducted a strategic firing operation along the 155E Road north of Dan Gap.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: GA woman convicted of poisoning husband with antifreeze Scattered showers ahead for Sunday, strong storms possible GA woman who suffered miscarriage charged after fetus found in dumpster Due to higher humidity on Sunday and potential rain showers, as well as more remain expected Monday, the U.S. Forest Service said little fire activity was expected on Sunday. Thanks to those conditions, the forest service said firefighters will take advantage of the circumstances to 'construct direct fireline where terrain allows' and work on constructing lines in key areas near the fire's edge. A closure order is in place for the area of the Big Ridge Fire. Officials said the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations is asking the public for information about the cause of the Big Ridge Fire. 'If anyone was in the area on March 22, 2025 and observed suspicious activity,' they're asked to call the Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Hotline at 1-800-428-7337. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Georgia's national forests enforce campfire ban amid rising wildfire threats
The Brief A sweeping ban on campfires has been issued across Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest due to high fire danger from dry, windy conditions. The U.S. Forest Service has implemented Stage II fire restrictions, prohibiting all campfires, including charcoal fires and open flames, in response to increased wildfire activity. Georgia has experienced a significant increase in wildfires this year, with the Georgia Forestry Commission responding to 1,644 wildfires that have burned nearly 14,000 acres, surpassing the state's five-year average. ATLANTA - A sweeping ban on campfires has been issued across Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest as firefighters battle an uptick in wildfires fueled by dry, windy conditions across Georgia and the Carolinas. SEE ALSO: Fires rage across Floyd County: Rome Fire Department battles multiple blaze Firefighters battle wildfire in North Georgia amid Red Flag Warning Floyd County wildfires were intentionally set, officials say Big Ridge Fire in Rabun County continues to grow, according to officials Twin wildfires burn in White County amid Red Flag Warning Heightened wildfire risk this week: Georgia officials warn against outdoor burning What we know On Thursday, the National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a special weather statement warning of high fire danger across north and central Georgia, including Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties. Relative humidity levels are expected to remain below 25% for several hours, with dry fuels and light winds creating conditions ripe for rapid fire spread. In response, the U.S. Forest Service announced the Stage II fire restrictions Thursday, prohibiting all campfires, including charcoal fires and open flames, in all four Ranger Districts of the forest. The ban, effective immediately, is a response to weeks of high winds, low humidity, and a growing number of fires across the region. Officials say the fire risk is especially concerning for metro Atlanta residents who are planning spring trips to North Georgia forests or who live near wooded areas. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest spans more than 860,000 acres and is a popular weekend destination for campers and hikers. In Rabun and White counties, firefighters continue working to suppress the Big Ridge Fire, while, in Floyd County, authorities are investigating a series of suspicious wildfires believed to have been intentionally set. The Carolinas are also under pressure due to the Table Rock Complex Fire burning near the North Carolina-South Carolina border, which has prompted statewide burn bans in both states. The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg extended an increased fire danger alert through Thursday evening, citing relative humidity as low as 15% and multiple active wildfires. What they're saying "Most people don't realize how frequent wildfires are in the South," said Judy Toppins, Forest Supervisor for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. "Since the beginning of the month, multiple fires have ignited on this national forest, along with large fires spreading on private and public lands in neighboring states." "Even small fires can quickly spread out of control, especially when conditions are this dry," said Mike Davis, fire management officer for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. "We urge residents to clear leaves and debris at least 30 feet away from buildings and to avoid any outdoor burning until conditions improve." Dig deeper Wildfires have already taken a toll in Georgia this year. Since January 1, the Georgia Forestry Commission has responded to 1,644 wildfires that scorched nearly 14,000 acres, destroying 10 homes and 35 outbuildings. That's 20% more fires and 50% more acreage burned than the state's five-year average. What you can do In all affected areas, residents are urged to take simple precautions: avoid outdoor flames, properly extinguish cigarettes, and keep vehicles on designated roads to avoid accidental sparks. For those who spot suspicious activity involving fire, officials urge calls to the Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Hotline at 1-800-428-7337. More details on the fire ban can be found at and information on protecting homes from wildfire threats is available at and the Georgia Forestry Commission's Firewise USA program. The Source Details in this article were provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission, the United States Forest Service for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, the National Weather Service, and local fire officials. The FOX 5 Storm Team forecast and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting were also used.
