U.S. Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-GA-09) traveled to Rabun County this week to receive a briefing from the U.S. Forest Service on the Big Ridge Fire in the Chattooga River Ranger District, survey successful containment efforts, and discuss wildfire response, recovery, and future mitigation planning.
Officials met with Clyde to review how the local, county, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and federal wildlife officials worked to put out the largest wildfire in the region since 2016.
The Big Ridge Fire is only one of three wildfires in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest of significant size over the past 25 years. The wildfire burned more than 3,400 acres in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area. Currently, all burn bans and road closures put in place in response to the Big Ridge Fire have been lifted.
Congressman Clyde said in a press release Wednesday, "I commend the interagency coordination and cooperation in response to the Big Ridge Fire in North Georgia. Due to the incredible work and partnership among local, state and federal personnel, this wildfire resulted in no private property damage or loss of life. At its peak, more than 280 U.S. Forest Service firefighters and support personnel werer assigned to manage the BIg Ridge Fire, and I deeply appreciate all the remarkable folks here on the ground who have helped battle the blaze."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/4/1290431/congressman-andrew-clyde-reviews-big-ridge-fire-scene-in-rabun-county