Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) visited Rabun County to receive a briefing from the U.S. Forest Service regarding the Big Ridge Fire in the Chattooga River Ranger District. He surveyed containment efforts and discussed plans for wildfire response, recovery, and future mitigation.
The Big Ridge Fire is the largest in the area since 2016 and one of only three significant wildfires in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest over the last 25 years. The fire has burned more than 3,400 acres in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area. All burn bans and road closures related to the fire have been lifted.
Clyde commented on the coordinated response to the fire, stating, “I commend the interagency coordination and cooperation in response to the Big Ridge Fire in North Georgia.” He expressed gratitude for the efforts of over 280 U.S. Forest Service firefighters and support personnel who were assigned to manage the fire. Clyde added, “Due to the incredible work and partnership among local, state, and federal personnel, this wildfire resulted in no private property damage or loss of life.”
He continued, “Our Northeast Georgia community is blessed with resilient emergency, fire, and forest management crews who have worked tirelessly for weeks to contain the spread of the fire, protect lives and property, and plan for wildfire mitigation. My office and I remain engaged with our regional and federal partners to ensure our local communities have the support needed to ultimately extinguish the Big Ridge Fire, as well as the resources to assist in future fire prevention.”
