The Big Ridge Fire has been burning for seven days, and wildland firefighters are finally catching a break with the weather. Following days of dry, windy weather, conditions improved Saturday, and the Forest Service is experiencing “decreased fire activity” from the wildfire.
The Big Ridge Fire, which ignited March 22 in the Sarah’s Creek area of Rabun County, has consumed nearly 2,000 acres of Chattahoochee National Forest land northeast of Clayton. The fire is currently “0%” contained, according to the Forest Service. The agency says its law enforcement investigators are working to determine what caused the fire.
The Big Ridge Fire is burning in a remote area, and the Forest Service says it is not an immediate threat to the public. However, it is impacting the Bartram Trail, Sarah’s Creek Campground, and the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area – all of which are closed to the public as crews work to get the wildfire under control.
Outside resources and crews have been brought in from around the country to assist with firefighting operations. As of March 28, 166 firefighters from at least 17 states and Puerto Rico were assigned to the Big Ridge Fire.
The weather is also helping, with higher humidity and light winds on Saturday and an 80% chance of showers Sunday into Monday. Smoke levels will increase in the valleys from evening through morning.
Containment efforts continue
The Forest Service says the Big Ridge Fire crossed the Bartram Trail near Flat Top on Friday, but air tankers were able to halt its progression. Firefighters continue to hold the fire along Hoods Creek on the fire’s south side.
According to an update released Saturday, crews will focus on constructing a direct control line on the portion of the fire that crossed the Bartram Trail. To the north, firefighters will finish handline construction from Beegum Gap to Hale Ridge Road.
“Once this line is completed, they will be looking for opportunities to construct direct line on the fire’s edge on the east side,” the release states.
Crews will also work to construct a direct line from Walnut Creek to Flat Top along Hoods Creek on the southwest side of the fire. Firefighters are scouting and constructing secondary control lines to be a backup if the primary control lines are breached.
Investigation
The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations branch is conducting the investigation into the cause of the Big Ridge Fire.
Anyone in the area on March 22, 2025, who observed suspicious activity is asked to contact the Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Hotline at 1-800-428-7337.
