Cohutta Wildfire Update: Fire Burns 1,224 acres

Image courtesy of USFS, Conasauga Ranger District

USFS Conasauga Ranger District provided the following update from the Cohutta Wildfire.  Conasauga Ranger District covers the Cohutta Wilderness.

Cohutta Wilderness Wildfire, Fannin County

GAINESVILLE (October 31, 2016) – UPDATE: The Rough Ridge wildfire within the Cohutta Wilderness in Fannin County, Georgia has burned 1224 acres as of 6:00 p.m. on October 30. The fire remains east of the Rough Ridge trail with the northern extent approximately 1.2 miles north of the Sugar Cove trail.

On the south end of the fire, crews continue to hold the fire on control lines along the wilderness boundary. Fire continues to back down the steep slopes of Rough Ridge towards Conasauga Creek on the eastern side. Fire personnel continue to work on control lines above Jones Settlement. All control lines are being cleaned out every day due to leaf fall and to prevent fire from crossing these lines.

There are 54 firefighters assigned to the Rough Ridge wildfire.

On Monday, winds are predicted to be light and will carry smoke towards the Blue Ridge and McCaysville, Georgia, areas. Due to a continuing exceptional drought and dry weather pattern, the fire is expected to burn for several weeks.

Current closures associated with the Rough Ridge wildfire include:

• Three Forks Trailhead parking lot,
• East Cowpen trail from Three Forks parking lot to the junction with Panther Creek trail, and
• Entire length of Rough Ridge trail from the junction with East Cowpen to Jacks River trail.

These closures are needed to provide for public and firefighter safety.

For more updates and to learn more about Georgia’s national forests, download the official free mobile app  for your smartphone or tablet, or visit us on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.  You can also get the latest forest news by liking us on Facebook and following us on twitter @ChattOconeeNF.

Fannin County EMA and Fire Department  also warn Fannin residents that currently Fannin County is in high fire danger.  Residents should not burn trash in burn barrels or in the open until the drought is over.  One floating ember can start a fire.

See related article:  “Cohutta Wildfire Update:  Fire Now at 354 Acres, Expected to Grow Larger”  published on Oct. 29th

    “Cohutta Wildfire Creeps to 85 Acres”   published Oct. 26th

 

Chimneytop Fire, Brasstown Wilderness, Union and Towns

This information is from Blue Ridge Ranger District which covers Brasstown Wilderness.

As of Oct 29^th, the Blue Ridge Ranger District states the fire is 95% contained and is 3 acres in size. The fire is in good shape and will be patrolled and monitored over the next several days.

The small wildfire was discovered in the Brasstown Wilderness near Chimneytop Mountain on October 26th at approximately 2 pm. The cause is under investigation. This approximately 3 acre fire, at an elevation of 4,000 feet, will be highly visible in Union, Towns andnsurrounding counties. The Chimneytop Wildfire is located approximately 1.5 miles west of Brasstown Bald Visitor Center adjacent to the Arkaquah Trail. The Arkaquah Trail has been temporarily closed in order to protect public and firefighter safety. Firefighters worked until dark on Wednesday evening and further work by handcrews will continue today in an effort to establish a control line around the fire as long as the terrain and weather allow for safe operations. The fire is located in steep, rugged terrain.