Expected weekend winds prompt more pre-evacuation notices in Rabun County

Anticipated weekend winds and a predicted shift in direction have prompted officials to issue Pre-Evacuation Notices for two dozen roads in and close to Rabun County as a result of the Rock Mountain Fire.

Rabun County Emergency Management Agency issued the following statement Friday morning:

"Looking at the forecast over the next few days, winds are supposed to pick up and change direction and blow to the Southeast. Due to this change and how far the fire has spread to the northeast, we are going to issue a Pre-Evacuation Notice for Patterson Gap north of Camp Ramah Darom. Also, all roads on Betty's Creek Road, north of Tom Wilson to the North Carolina state line."

Roads under the Pre-Evacuation Notice include:

• Patterson Gap

• Kodiak

• Hap N So Lane

• Tarheel Lane

• Betty's Creek

• Tom Wilson

• Byes Lane

• High Darnell Road

• Almond Lane

• Outback Lane

• Hambidge Court

• Messer Creek Road

• Scottarosa Lane

• Sassafras Lane

• Willow Lane

• Red Bird Lane

• Asa Cove Lane

• Barkers Creek Lane

• Big Creek Road

• Andy's Trout Farm Lane

• Hazel Lane

• Mimosa Lane

• Bob Justice Lane

• Magnolia Lane.

A Pre-Evacuation Notice urges residents to stay alert to rapidly-changing conditions and be ready to leave quickly if an Evacuation Notice is issued.

Those who live in the affected area should start making preparations around their homes, including:

• Blowing leaves away from their home;

• Removing all dead limbs from the yard;

• Cleaning out gutters;

• Cutting all limbs touching the house; and

• Having an evacuation plan and phone plan for loved ones.

A total of 559 personnel are battling the 8,545-acre fire that is 30 percent contained, according to Friday updates. The human-caused fire began on Nov. 9 and remains under investigation. Estimated containment for the fire is mid-December.

For information on the Rock Mountain Fire, call (470) 208-2886.

Timber Ridge Fire

In addition to the Rock Mountain Fire, the Timber Ridge Fire continues to burn south of Clayton and east of Tiger. That 888-acre wildfire is being battled by 36 personnel and is 50 percent contained. The cause of that fire is unknown.

For information on the Timber Ridge Fire, call (470) 202-8844.

Rough Ridge Fire

Elsewhere in North Georgia, the Rough Ridge Fire continues to burn in the Cohutta Wilderness, 13 miles west of Blue Ridge in Fannin County.

The Rough Ridge Fire has grown to 27,004 acres and is 40 percent contained, according to Friday updates. It was caused by lightning.

The incident command post for the Rough Ridge Fire has moved to 815 N. Third St., Chatsworth, and Southern California Incident Management Team 1 has assumed command of the fire. Estimated containment on the fire is Nov. 30.

For information on the Rough Ridge Fire, call (470) 208-2839.

People across North Georgia remain very interested in the status of wildfires burning across the region, as evidenced by the 400 people in attendance at a public meeting in Young Harris Thursday night. Additionally, more than 300 people attended a public meeting in Clayton Tuesday night and more than 400 attended an open house meeting in Blue Ridge Tuesday night.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/11/471638/expected-weekend-winds-prompt-more-pre-evacuation-notices-in-rabun-county