Update on Georgia Forest Fires in Whitfield & Fannin Counties
Fannin County/Whitfield County, Georgia (WDEF) – The wildfire situation in North Georgia got much worse over the weekend.
Forestry officials report 16 new fires just on Sunday.
The fire on Rough Ridge in the Cohutta Wilderness in Fannin County had burned over 1,200 acres by last night.
Crews are holding it along the southern boundary of the wilderness.
On the east side, it is burning toward Conasauga Creek, with crews trying to control lines above Jones Settlement.
54 firefighters are now battling the blaze.
Heavy smoke should once again blow into Blue Ridge and McCaysville.
They expect this fire to burn for 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.
The Rocky Face Mountain fire in Whitfield County has burned about 212 acres so far.
It is slowly creeping down the mountain.
State fire crews have cut a 1.2 mile long fire break on the east side to protect homes.
They say it is 100% contained there.
One home is still threatened at the bottom of the mountain, but no one has been ordered to evacuate.
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