A new management team has taken over efforts to control the fire in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Rabun County, which has now consumed more than 2,000 acres.
HERE’S FRIDAY’S REPORT FROM THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE (USFS).:
Personnel and apparatus: 5 crews | 4 engines | 1 dozer | 1 helicopter
Highlights: Today at 6 a.m. the Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team assumed management of the Big Ridge Fire under the leadership of Incident Commander Paul Varnedoe. Fire lines on the north side of the fire continued to hold Thursday and there was growth to the south and east. A virtual public meeting will be held in Sky Valley Saturday with details to follow.
Fire Activity: Today firefighters will focus holding the north line from Rabun Bald to Wilson Knob to keep the fire from Sky Valley. Crews will continue constructing direct line from Wilson Knob to south to Walnut Fork. On the southeast side of the fire line is being constructed from Sara’s Creek to Hale Ridge Road, which will serve as the eastern primary control line. On the north, line is being constructed from Beegum Gap to Hale Ridge Road following Holcomb Creek. Firefighters are also scouting and constructing secondary control lines in case these primary control lines are compromised.
The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations is seeking information regarding the circumstances around the cause of the Big Ridge Fire. If anyone was in the area last Saturday, and saw suspicious activity please call the Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Hotline 1-800-428-7337.
Evacuations: None.
(USFS photo)
