The U.S. Forest Service has closed public access to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest northeast of Clayton, where the Big Ridge Fire is burning. The closure order is effective through April 30. It prohibits entry into the area to minimize public health and safety risks and to facilitate ongoing wildland firefighting operations.
The Big Ridge Fire began March 22 in the Sarah’s Creek area and has now consumed nearly 2,000 acres. Five wildland firefighting crews are actively working to hold containment lines. They’re supported by four engines, a bulldozer, a helicopter, and a plane for aerial suppression and surveillance.
What’s closed?
The closure, announced Friday, encompasses all National Forest System lands within the following perimeter: east of US 23 / US 441, north of Warwoman Road, west of Hale Ridge Road (FSR 7), and south of the Georgia state line. This area includes several recreation facilities, trails, and roads.
The following areas are closed through April 30 or until further notice:
Recreation Facilities & Areas
- Darnell Creek Shooting Range – Closed to all visitors and activities
- Sarah’s Creek Campground – Closed to all visitors and activities
- Warwoman WMA – Closed to all visitors and activities
Trails
- Bartram Trail (FST 164) – Closed to all types of traffic from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road (FSR 7) and closed to all visitors
- Bartram Trail Connector (Beegum Gap to Bartram Trail) – Closed to all visitors and activities
- Becky Branch Trail (FST 65)– Closed to all visitors and activities
- Courthouse Gap (FST 47) – Closed to all visitors and activities
- Darnell Creek Horse Trail (FST 61) – Closed to all traffic and activities
- Pinnacle Knob Trail (FST 58) – Closed to all visitors and activities
- Rabun Bald Trail (FST 211) – Closed to all traffic and activities
Roads
- Chintilly Road (FSR 156A) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors
- Dan Gap Road (FSR 155E) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors
- Darnell Creek Road (FSR 150) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors
- Finney Creek Road (FSR 153) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors
- Hale Ridge Road (FSR 7) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors from the intersection with Tottery Pole Road (FSR 86C) to the north to the USFS property line
- Rabun Bald Road (FSR 413) – Closed to all visitors and all forms of traffic
- Sarah’s Creek Road (FSR 156) – Closed to all traffic and visitors
- Tuckaluge Creek Road (FSR 153) – Closed to all traffic and visitors
- Walnut Fork Road (FSR 155) – Closed to all traffic and visitors
Violation penalties
The closures do not apply to private property. Authorized individuals such as law enforcement and public safety officials may still access the area. Unauthorized members of the public entering or occupying the closed area could face fines or imprisonment.
Forest Supervisor Judy Toppins signed the order on March 27. She said the closure would be lifted sooner than April 30 if Forest Service officials deemed the area safe.
Public information meeting March 29
The Forest Service set up a Big Ridge Fire Command Center at the Rabun County Recreation Department off US 441/GA 15. They will host a virtual public meeting on Google Meet from noon until 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.
During the meeting, members of the public can hear directly from the fire managers and local officials about the current status of the fire. They will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
To join the meeting online, go to https://meet.google.com/qcj-ukgz-mcf or dial 440-482-1399 and enter PIN number 359 161 763#to be connected. This meeting will be recorded and available for those unable to attend to watch later.
For updated information on the Big Ridge Fire and closures, visit the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Facebook page or the government’s wildfire incident website.
