Growth in the Big Ridge Fire in Rabun County was minimal Monday but it still grew to more than 300 acres. And , the U S. Forest Service says firefighters, there nearly 100 of them battling the blaze, are entering a period of warming and drying with windy conditions that will lead to increased fire activity through the weekend. The fire is burning in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area between Sarah’s Creek and Walnut Fork, north of Warwoman Creek.
Fire Activity: Control lines have been established at the south end of the fire and yesterday crews worked to improve these lines. Firefighters scouted opportunities to directly attack the fire, but it is burning in steep and rocky terrain with difficult access, which makes indirect tactics a more viable option. For that reason, crews are working on indirect control lines in anticipation of a strategic firing operation later in the week. Smoke will be visible from the Big Ridge Fire and may settle into Warwoman Valley at night.
Evacuations: None.
Closures: Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road (Forest Service Road 156), Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 7).