Dozens of wildland firefighters continue battling a blaze burning out of control in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area near Clayton.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Big Ridge Fire “grew significantly” on Tuesday due to strong winds and low humidity. The fire, which began March 22 in the Sarah’s Creek area about 10 miles northeast of Clayton, has consumed nearly 500 acres. It crossed the initial control lines on the northeast side and reached the headwaters of Addie Branch.
While the fire’s southern and western sides are contained by control lines, crews are actively constructing lines to the north and east to try and limit further spread.
“On the north side of the fire, a line has been constructed from Rabun Bald to Saltrock Gap. If conditions allow, a strategic firing operation will occur along this line today to secure this flank of the fire,” a news release from the Forest Service states.
Crews are establishing additional control lines from Rabun Bald eastward toward Coldspring Gap. Secondary lines are being built from Rabun Bald to Beegum Gap, then east to Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 7).
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect Wednesday, with low humidity and gusty winds creating dangerous fire conditions. While the rest of the week will be dry, less severe winds could bring firefighters some welcome relief since the next chance of rain isn’t until Sunday.
Currently, no evacuations are in place. However, the Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road, and Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road remain closed. Significant smoke from the Big Ridge Fire is expected to be visible throughout the day and may settle in the Warwoman Valley at night.
Carolina wildfires
Meanwhile, wildfires that flared up over the weekend in neighboring South Carolina have burned over 3,000 acres combined.
According to state Forestry Commission spokeswoman Michelle Johnson, emergency officials are reporting no injuries and no home damage from the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County and the Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County so far.
South Carolina officials have ordered mandatory evacuations in dozens of neighborhoods as fire crews work to contain the fires, which officials have determined were human-caused.
Evacuations are also underway in parts of North Carolina, where several fires are out of control. The Black Cove and Deep Woods fires have burned nearly 6,000 acres combined, and forestry officials report they are not contained.
According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the Fish Hook fire has consumed around 200 acres and is 72% contained.
Statewide burn bans remain in place across the Carolinas until further notice.
