Single Publication

April 2, 2025 

Acres: 3,274 acres                                                                                       Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                   Personnel: 246 

Containment: 39%                                                                                        Fuels: Timber 

Resources: 5 crews | 11 engines | 4 dozers | 1 helicopter 

Highlights: Additional rain is expected today on the Big Ridge Fire, with the possibility of 0.15 to 0.25 inches. Crews made good progress on direct line construction Tuesday. The change in acres is due to more accurate mapping, not fire growth. Structure protection specialists from the Georgia Forestry Commission will continue visiting communities around the Big Ridge Fire along Warwoman Creek. 

Fire Activity: Minimal fire spread is expected today, with the only activity expected to be smoldering. The areas of primary focus today will be the line from Wilson Knob to Forest Service Road 155, and then the east side of the fire from Rabun Bald to Sarah’s Creek. Firefighters will mop up all areas where direct lines have been completed. This activity consists of putting out all remaining pockets of heat, such as stump holes, logs, and deep layers of duff.

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:  Today cooler temperatures and higher humidity will return with expected high temperature of 61 degrees, 80% minimum humidity, and winds south-southeast 10 mph. There will be occasional gusts to 22 mph. Tomorrow will start a warming and drying trend with the next chance of rain coming Sunday.

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: 770-230-1020    

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