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.

Forest Service News Release

Public Affairs Officer: Mary Cernicek

(307) 739-5564

Mary.Cernicek@usda.gov

Bridger-Teton National Forest Begin Prescribed Fires on Star Valley Front

Favorable weather conditions in place for fuels reduction work

Afton,Wyo., March 20, 2025— The Bridger-Teton National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this month and into April. We estimate this work to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

The Greys River Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest plans to implement up to 2,500 acres Prescribed Burn in Unit 2. Unit 2 is within the Star Valley Front Vegetation Restoration Project. Star Valley Front, Unit 2 is comprised of the southwest facing slopes visible from Afton and Grover. Unit 2 also includes south facing slopes in the Swift Creek Drainage which is an important watershed for the community of Afton. Reducing fuel loading on the landscape can decrease the extent and severity of future wildfire. This provides for both Firefighter safety and for resource protection.

Another important purpose is to improve the vigor of vegetation on mule deer and elk winter and transition range, which is particularly relevant given the great interest in deer and elk populations in the Star Valley area.

There may be temporary trail and road closures periodically during the day as equipment and firefighters are working in the area. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. 

Residents can expect smokey conditions the day of the burn and into the overnight hours. Some smoke may exist the following day but should dissipate considerably thereafter. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. 

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled. Firefighters will use the snow as a hold feature to prevent fire spread outside the unit. 

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins. 

Highlights: Growth on the Big Ridge Fire was minimal yesterday. However, we are entering a period of warming and drying with windy conditions that will lead to increased fire activity through the weekend.  The fire is burning in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area between Sarah’s Creek and Walnut Fork, north of Warwoman Creek. 

Fire Activity: Control lines have been established at the south end of the fire and yesterday crews worked to improve these lines. Firefighters scouted opportunities to directly attack the fire, but it is burning in steep and rocky terrain with difficult access, which makes indirect tactics a more viable option.  For that reason, crews are working on indirect control lines in anticipation of a strategic firing operation later in the week. Smoke will be visible from the Big Ridge Fire and may settle into Warwoman Valley at night. 

Weather:  Today’s forecast calls for 70 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 20%, and winds will be west-southwest with speeds of 12 mph. Gusts will reach as high as 32 mph. The rest of the week will be dry, with the next chance of rain on Sunday.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road (Forest Service Road 156), 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

Acres: 200 acres                                                                                              Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                    Personnel: 109 

Containment: 0%                                                                                          Fuels: Timber 

Resources:      5 crews | 2 engines | 1 dozer | 2 helicopters 

Highlights: A Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Big Ridge Fire on Monday, March 24. The fire is burning in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area.  Active fire behavior was seen along the northern portion of the fire yesterday on the west side of Big Ridge, and two helicopters were used to check fire growth to the north. Both ground and aviation resources are working to establish control lines. 

Fire Activity: Control lines have been established at the south end of the fire. Steep and rocky terrain paired with active fire behavior are dictating indirect tactics in many areas of the fire, along with a high concentration of hazardous standing dead trees.  These dead fuels contribute to a high spotting potential.  Moderate to abnormally dry drought with drier than normal fuel conditions are causing the fire to be resistant to control. Today, crews will be preparing indirect control lines in anticipation of a strategic firing operation. Four other wildfires are being managed by the team, but these other fires are contained and being patrolled and mopped up.  Smoke will be visible from the Big Ridge Fire and may settle into Warwoman Valley at night. 

Weather: A light rain fell overnight but only amounted to .13 inches.  The effects of this rain are not expected to last long.  Today’s forecast calls for 65 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 25%, and winds will be southwest in the morning, changing to northwest in the afternoon.  Speeds will be 5-10 mph with gusts to 26 mph. The rest of the week will be dry, with the next chance of rain on Sunday.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road (Forest Service Road 156), Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 86). 

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