Big Ridge Fire now nearly 90 percent contained

Update as of Thursday, April 3, 2025.

The Big Ridge wildfire in Rabun County is now nearly 90 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

 

The fire, which has been burning since March 22, has now consumed over 3,300 acres of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, but firefighting efforts coupled with increased rain and humidity have significantly lowered its spread in recent days, officials say.

 

"No fire spread is expected (Thursday,)" a report Thursday morning by the Forest Service said. "The only remaining heat on the fire consists of large logs and stump holes. Crews will be focused on finding and extinguishing these remaining sources of heat on the fire."

 

The Southern Area Gold Team called to assist the Forest Service and local authorities in fighting the blaze has been able to build fire lines across nearly the entire circumference of the blaze, with the exception of the southeastern portion of the fire between Hoods Creek and Walnut Fork just north of Warwoman Road.

 

Fire crews are also hopeful that weather conditions will continue to aid their efforts.

 

"There is a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms on the Big Ridge Fire," Thursday's report said. "(Thursday) is the start of a warming trend, but humidity will remain high."

 

There are still no evacuations in place as of Thursday afternoon.

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Update as of Wednesday, April 2, 2025. 

The U.S. Forest Service says the Big Ridge wildfire in eastern Rabun County is at 39 percent containment as of Wednesday. 

 

The latest update on the department’s social media said additional rain is expected for Wednesday, with the possibility of 0.15 to 0.25 inches in the area. The update also said that the fire has consumed 3,274 acres, up from the 3,000 acres reported Tuesday. The Forest Service said the increase is due to more accurate mapping, not fire growth. 

 

So far, the fire has still not caused any evacuations. Areas of focus for the department Wednesday are the line from Wilson Knob to Forest Service Rd. 155 and the east side of the fire from Rabun Bald to Sarah’s Creek. The agency also expects minimal fire spread.  

 

According to the post, structure protection specialists from  the Georgia Forestry Commission will continue visiting communities around the Big Ridge Fire along Warwoman Creek. 

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Original story posted April 1, 2025: 

The U.S. Forest Service now says crews have 20 percent containment of the Big Ridge wildfire in eastern Rabun County.

 

The fire, which has been burning since March 22, has consumed nearly 3,000 acres of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests from Rabun Bald to nearly Big Mountain. The fire is believed to be human-caused, but the exact cause is still under investigation as of last report.

 

A report from the Forest Service Tuesday morning said Monday's rainfall provided significant aid to the firefighting efforts.

 

"The Big Ridge Fire received 0.75 inches of rain from the storm system that passed through the area Sunday and Monday and containment increased," the Forest Service said. "On the north side of the fire closest to Sky Valley, the fire has been contained from Rabun Bald to Wilson Gap."

 

The fire has been spreading south and southwest over the past several days. Officials, however, said that the spread is expected to be slower on Tuesday than in previous days.

 

The area of most concern to officials now is the Warwoman Creek area east of Clayton, which, while not incorporated, does have several residences. While the fire is not causing any current evacuations, the Forest Service said the fire is spreading in that direction and advised residents in the area to stay alert in case the fire makes a sudden run.

 

"Structure protection specialists from the Georgia Forestry Commission will continue visiting communities around the Big Ridge Fire along Warwoman Creek," the U.S. Forest Service's report said.

 

Officials have previously advised residents of ways to prepare their homes for potential fire encroachment. Those preparations include removing any downed limbs or fire stacks from the immediate vicinity of your home and making sure your driveway is unobstructed.