The U.S. Forest Service reports that crews are making progress containing a wildfire on Richard Russell Scenic Highway (Ga. 348) in northern White County.
The fire was reported in the 1 p.m. hour Sunday and is estimated at 24 acres as of 9 p.m., according to USFS information. Roughly 80 percent of the fire has been lined with fire breaks.
"Terrific response from two interagency hotshot crews from California and a helicopter aided the quick and efficient work," according to a USFS social media post.
The fire is located at 34 43.577 N, 83 49.689 W, in the Raven Cliffs Wilderness area above the Raven Cliffs Falls Trail and less than a mile east of the Appalachian Trail, where the trail crosses Richard Russell Scenic Highway.
Officials say the fire is in steep, rugged terrain.
That wildfire temporarily closed Ga. 348 (Richard Russell Scenic Highway).
It is one of several fires across the region, including the Rough Ridge Fire in the Cohutta Wilderness Area on the Chattahoochee National Forest. Located between Blue Ridge and Eton, that lightning-sparked fire has grown to 4,319 acres as of Sunday night.
Smoke from that wildfire, as well as some in North Carolina, blanketed most of North Georgia in smoke throughout the day Sunday.
The 644-acre Rocky Knob Fire, located eight miles west of Franklin, N.C., on Rocky Knob was human-caused and began about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, according to USFS. Nine personnel are involved in containment of that wildfire.
The 972-acre Boteler Fire was discovered burning on the Tusquitee Ranger District 15 miles east of Murphy, N.C., on Oct. 25, according to USFS. It is located on a road-less area on the Nantahala National Forest west of Chunky Gal Mountain near Hayesville. Roughly 170 personnel are involved in containment efforts on that fire.
People reported thick smoke throughout Franklin, Habersham, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens and White counties, and as far west as Bartow County and as far north as Macon County, N.C.
