A section of the Chattahoochee National Forest northeast of Clayton remains closed to the public until further notice, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) says. Forest land in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area was closed on March 28 due to the Big Ridge Fire.
Now that the wildfire is under control, forest crews continue putting out hotspots and repairing soil erosion. USFS officials say the closure order is still in place for firefighter and public safety.
“Crews and heavy equipment will still be working and moving around the fire perimeter after this rain passes, and the closure will remain in place until it is safe to lift,” a notice from the Forest Service states.
RELATED Fire Service closes Big Ridge Fire Area in Rabun County
Firefighting operations have been winding down for several days as weather conditions have improved. The break in the weather, which included rain the past two weekends, helped crews fighting the Big Ridge Fire contain its spread. At the height of firefighting operations, 250 personnel from around the country and Puerto Rico were battling the blaze. That number is now down to 115 as mop-up operations continue.
Confidence remains high that the wildfire, which burned over 3,400 acres, will soon be fully contained. The Forest Service announced Sunday’s public update on the Big Ridge Fire would be its last “unless significant activity occurs.”
Meanwhile, authorities are still seeking information about how the Big Ridge Fire started. The Forest Service says it ignited on March 22 in the Sarah’s Creek area of northern Rabun County. Investigators are asking anyone who saw suspicious activity in that area to call the Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Hotline at 1-800-428-7337.
