Firefighters are hoping for a little rain to help with not just one — but two — wildfires sparked by separate auto accidents in the North Georgia mountains.
The latest happened Friday night on Highway 129 at Mile Marker 6 in Lumpkin County.
So far, that fire has burned about 100 acres all on National Forest land. A social media post from the Union County Fire and Rescue Department around 8 a.m. Saturday said the fire is inaccessible because of the terrain.
"This fire has the potential to burn all the way to the Appalachian Trail on the Union/Lumpkin county line between Neels Gap and Tesnatee Gap," the social media post reads. "For public safety we are closing the Appalachian Trail from Neels Gap to Tesnatee Gap."
Authorities also are asking drivers in the area to use caution because of smoky conditions. In addition, fire equipment may be traveling on the roadways.
The first fire happened Friday morning off Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway and has burned more than 400 acres.
Neither fire is believed to be a threat to structures.
Wildfires again are charring the North Georgia landscape, with two separate wildfires burning in the area of the Appalachian Trail.
Signs on U.S. 129 in Lumpkin and Union counties advise motorists to be aware of smoke from wildfires.
Smoke rises from a wildfire near U.S. 129.
A new wildfire on U.S. 129 has closed a portion of the Appalachian Trail.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/12/483946/second-wildfire-in-north-georgia-mountains-closes-portion-of-appalachian-trail