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Highlights: Today at 6 a.m. the Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team assumed management of the Big Ridge Fire under the leadership of Incident Commander Paul Varnedoe. The Gold Team expresses its appreciation to the Forest Type 3 Team, Rabun Couty Sheriff’s Office, cooperators, collaborators and the community for their support to the firefighters. Firelines on the north side of the fire continued to hold Thursday and there was growth to the south and east. A virtual public meeting will be held in Sky Valley Saturday with details to follow.

Fire Activity: Today firefighters will focus holding the north line from Rabun Bald to Wilson Knob to keep the fire from Sky Valley. Crews will continue constructing direct line from Wilson Knob to south to Walnut Fork. On the southeast side of the fire line is being constructed from Sara’s Creek to Hale Ridge Road, which will serve as the eastern primary control line. On the north, line is being constructed from Beegum Gap to Hale Ridge Road following Holcomb Creek.  Firefighters are also scouting and constructing secondary control lines in case these primary control lines are compromised.

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:  A Red Flag Waring is in effect today for critical fire danger. Today’s forecast calls for 72 degrees and minimum relative humidity of 19%. Winds will be southwest with sustained speeds of 10 mph and gusts of 23 mph. Temperatures and wind will increase early Saturday ahead of a change to higher humidity and possible rainfall after dark on Saturday into Sunday morning.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: Visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/gachf-big-ridge-fire

More Information: 

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

Email: 2025.BigRidge@firenet.gov 

Fire Information: 770-530-3950                          

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