Fire chars eight acres in White Co.

HELEN - A New Year's Day fire burned about eight acres of U.S. Forest Service land in northern White County.

U.S. Forest Service Assistant Fire Management officer Tony Rider said the fire began around 11:15 a.m. in a Wilderness Area on the north side of Richard Russell Scenic Highway near Dukes Creek Falls area.

Rider said a small group firefighters from Clarkesville, Clayton and Blairsville battled the blaze. The fire has been extinguished and mop-up operation is complete.

White County Volunteer fire fighters were dispatched to the area, but John Hermann, fire department spokesman said they were limited on what they could do.

Hermann said, " We left it up to the Forest Service, they have the equipment and expertise in fighting these kind of blazes.".

Richard Russell Highway was closed to traffic for a time while they battled the fire. The cause of the blaze is unknown, and Rider said an investigation is underway.