Wildfire Burns 22 Acres Northwest of Helen

Forestry officials have contained a wildfire that burned 22 acres approximately two miles northwest of Helen. According to information on the U.S. Forest Service’s Facebook page, the fire was in rugged terrain in the Upper Chattahoochee River area and west of Highway 75.

WRWH Radio reports it was first reported around 3 p.m. Saturday to White County 9-1-1 and White County fire units responded. Forestry officials were then notified. White County Public Safety Director David Murphy says forestry personnel handled the fire as county units stood by to assist.

More than a dozen forestry personnel worked late into the night Saturday battling the blaze. They completed containment lines using a bulldozer and wildland fire engine. By mid-morning Sunday the fire was 100% contained.

The Forestry Service describes the fire as “human caused.” It says fire managers will continue to monitor and patrol existing fire containment lines. Additionally, firefighters will begin mop-up work to seek and destroy any remaining hot-spots near the fireline.

Interior pockets of heavier forest woody material may continue to smolder throughout the day.