Incident Publication

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), for the protection of the public and natural resources, the following act or omission is prohibited on all lands and waters that comprise the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia. The provisions shall remain in effect from March 27, 2025, through June 30, 2025, or until terminated by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire (including charcoal-based fire whether contained in a grill or not).
36 CFR 261.52(a)

Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 36 CFR 261.52(f).

Note: Commercially available fuel stoves (camp stoves) are excluded from this restriction.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1.Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2.Any Federal, State or Local Law Enforcement Officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. Executed in Gainesville, Georgia, this 27th day of March 2025.

Order No. 08-03-05-25-02
FOREST ORDER

Pursuant to the provisions of 16 USC §551, and Title 36 CFR §261.50(a) and 261.50(b), the area of National Forest System lands in the “Big Ridge Fire Area” located on the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is closed to entry. The area is closed to entering or occupying in order to minimize risks to public health and safety, to provide for disaster and safety operations, and to protect forest resources while responding to and recovering from the Big Ridge Fire. This Order is effective through April 30, 2025, or until rescinded by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.

The area is signed closed from entering or occupying until further indicated on the attached map. Only National Forest System lands are impacted by this closure. Some private land inholdings appear within the area perimeter, but this order does not apply to lands that are not National Forest System lands. The closure includes all National Forest System lands inside the following perimeter:
•East of US 23 / US 441
•North of Warwoman Rd
•West of Hale Ridge Rd (FSR 7)
•South of Georgia state line (GA/NC border)

The closure area bounded by this perimeter includes, but is not limited to, the following facilities, trails, and roads:

Recreation Facilities & Areas
•Darnell Creek Shooting Range – Closed to all visitors and activities
•Sarah’s Creek Campground – Closed to all visitors and activities
•Warwoman WMA – Closed to all visitors and activities

Trails
•Bartram Trail (FST 164) – Closed to all types of traffic from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Rd(FSR 7) and closed to all visitors
•Bartram Trail Connector (Beegum Gap to Bartram Trail) – Closed to all visitors and activities
•Becky Branch Trail (FST 65)– Closed to all visitors and activities
•Courthouse Gap (FST 47) - Closed to all visitors and activities
•Darnell Creek Horse Trail (FST 61) – Closed to all traffic and activities
•Pinnacle Knob Trail (FST 58) - Closed to all visitors and activities
•Rabun Bald Trail (FST 211) – Closed to all traffic and activities

Roads
•Chintilly Rd (FSR 156A) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors
•Dan Gap Rd (FSR 155E) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors
•Darnell Creek Rd (FSR 150) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors
•Finney Creek Rd (FSR 153) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors
•Hale Ridge Rd (FSR 7) – Closed to all types of traffic and visitors from intersection with TotteryPole Rd (FSR 86C) to the north to the USFS property line
•Rabun Bald Rd (FSR 413) - Closed to all visitors and all forms of traffic
•Sarah’s Creek Rd (FSR 156) – Closed to all traffic and visitors
•Tuckaluge Creek Rd (FSR 153) – Closed to all traffic and visitors
•Walnut Fork Rd (FSR 155) – Closed to all traffic and visitors

The above prohibited acts are set forth in Title 36 CFR §261.53(e) Special Closures for Public Health or Safety. It is prohibited to go into or be upon any of the area described in this order.

Pursuant to §261.50(e) the following persons are exempt from the above prohibitions:(e) the following persons are exempt from the above prohibitions:
1.Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2.Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of their official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. Executed in Gainesville, Georgia, this 27th day of March, 2025.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571 and 3581.

Magic Feather Prescribed Burn updates for THURSDAY, March 26, 2025:

Today crews will focus on securing the perimeter of the burned area, snagging trails, and continue patrolling the area. 

March 27, 2025 

Acres: 812 acres                                                                                               Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                    Personnel: 205 

Containment: 0%                                                                                          Fuels: Timber 

Resources:      5 crews | 4 engines | 1 dozer | 1 helicopter 

Highlights: On Wednesday the strategic firing operations to secure Big Ridge Fire control lines from Rabun Bald to Saltrock Gap were successful and this line is in place and holding.  At the same time the fire crossed the initial control lines along Walnut Fork on the southwest side of the fire.  Wind speeds will be slightly lower today, but humidity will remain low so fire behavior will remain active.  The Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire on Friday.

Fire Activity: Today firefighters will focus on improving and holding the north line from Rabun Bald to Saltrock Gap to keep the fire from Sky Valley.  Crews will be scouting direct line locations from Saltrock Gap to Fat Top and then south to Walnut Fork.  They will also be looking to establish lines from Rabun Bald to Coldspring Gap. Indirect line construction will continue from Rabun Bald north to Beegum Gap and then on to Hale Ridge Road.  Substantial smoke will be visible from the Big Ridge Fire today and may settle into Warwoman Valley at night. 

The United States 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:  Winds are not expected to be quite as strong on today, but RH values will once again be dropping into the mid-teens. Today’s forecast calls for 68 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 19%, and winds will be westerly with sustained speeds of 10 mph and gusts of 21 mph. The rest of the week will be dry, but winds will be less strong.  Temperatures and wind will increase again Friday and early Saturday ahead of a change to higher humidity and possible rainfall after dark on Saturday into Sunday morning.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road (Forest Service Road 156), Tuckaluge Road (Forest Service Road 153), Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 7).

Superior Ranger District:  Firefighters will burn up to 10 acres of understory burning on the Second Chance units located 4.5 miles north of Lozeau and 8 miles east of Superior.  Smoke may be visible from Interstate 90 and to the Second Creek/ Lozeau area residents.

Update (2:30 p.m.) - Ignitions have ceased for the day. An additional 50 acres were treated. 

Update (10 a.m.) - Prescribed burning operations will resume today. Firefighters successfully treated 400 acres yesterday. Smoke will continue to be visible today. 

March 26, 2025 

Acres: 480 acres                                                                                              Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                    Personnel: 92 

Containment: 0%                                                                                          Fuels: Timber 

Resources:      4 crews | 3 engines | 1 dozer | 1 helicopters 

Highlights: Due to high winds and low relative humidities the Big Ridge Fire grew Tuesday.  Late in the day the fire made a significant run and crossed the initial control lines on the northeast side and is now in the headwaters of Addie Branch.  Firefighters are working on options for continued direct attack on the fire in this area. 

Fire Activity: On the north side of the fire a line has been constructed from Rabun Bald to Saltrock Gap.  If conditions allow, a strategic firing operation will occur along this line today to secure this flank of the fire.  Lines were also constructed east from Rabun Bald towards Coldspring Gap and will serve as the primary control line in this area.  Secondary control lines will be constructed from Rabun Bald towards Beegum Gap and then east towards Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 7).  Control lines have been established at the south and west sides of the fire and yesterday crews worked to improve these lines.  Substantial smoke will be visible from the Big Ridge Fire today and may settle into Warwoman Valley at night. 

Weather:  Low humidity and gusty winds will lead to dangerous fire conditions today. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for portions of northern Georgia where the most hazardous conditions are expected. Today’s forecast calls for 65 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 15%, and winds will be northwest with sustained speeds of 13 mph and gusts of 28 mph. The rest of the week will be dry, but winds will be less strong.  The next chance of rain is on Sunday.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road (Forest Service Road 156), Tuckaluge Road (Forest Service Road 153), Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 7). 

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

Ignitions are complete for today, Tuesday, March 25, after successfully treating 400 acres at the Magic Feather Burn Project. Firefighters remain in the area to secure and monitor the perimeter of the burn unit. 

Fire crews have completed a test fire and verified that conditions are good for prescribed fire ignitions today, Tuesday, March 25, 2025 for the Magic Feather burn area. Smoke may be notably visible in the Red Feather Lakes area. Closures for the Elkhorn Creek Trailhead and surrounding trails are in effect. For a map of the entire closure area, visit the closure page.

Superior Ranger District:  Firefighters will burn up to 10 acres of understory burning on the Second Chance units located 4.5 miles north of Lozeau and 8 miles east of Superior.  Smoke may be visible from Interstate 90 and to the Second Creek/ Lozeau area residents.