Single Publication

April 4, 2025 

Acres: 3,434 acres                                                                                       Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                   Personnel: 224 

Containment: 88%                                                                                        Fuels: Timber 

Resources: 4 crews | 11 engines | 3 dozers | 1 helicopter |1 Masticator| 1 Excavator

Highlights: On Saturday the Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team will turn management of the Big Ridge Fire back to the Forest.  The Forest Type 3 Team will be responsible for completing suppression and repair work on the Fire.  Yesterday structure protection specialists from the Georgia Forestry Commission completed their work around the Big Ridge Fire. 

Fire Activity: No fire spread is expected today.  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.  Another activity occurring today is fireline repair, which consists of restoring any damage caused by suppression actions. 

The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations is seeking information regarding the circumstances around the cause of the Big Ridge Fire. If anyone was in the area on March 22, 2025, and observed suspicious activity please call the Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Hotline 1-800-428-7337.

Weather:  The forecast today calls for 82 degrees, 47% minimum humidity, and winds southwest 8-12 mph. There will be occasional gusts to 22. There is a 20% chance of thunderstorms today and tomorrow.  A frontal system is forecast to impact the region Sunday into Sunday night, with widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms expected over the incident area. Chance of wetting rain is 80%.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: A closure order is in place for the vicinity of the Big Ridge Fire. For details visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/gachf-big-ridge-fire

More Information: 

Air Quality: https://www.airnow.gov/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChattOconeeNF              

Email: 2025.BigRidge@firenet.gov 

Fire Information: 770-530-3950    

Big Ridge Fire Recorded Information Line: 706-982-4729                      

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/gachf-big-ridge-fire