Saturday, November 19, 2016

11/19/16 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Fire Update

For a downloadable, printable copy 


For Immediate Release
Fire Information Line: 470-202-8844
 Twitter: @ChattOconeeNF


U.S. Forest Service
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
1755 Cleveland Highway
Gainesville, GA 30552

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Fire Update: Nov. 19, 2016 – 1 p.m.
Forest-wide Fire Ban
Wildfires have burned an estimated 38,859  acres on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in the last month. Due to extreme fire danger and current drought conditions, a total fire ban is in place on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire (including charcoal based fire whether contained in a grill or not) is prohibited. Commercially available fuel stoves (camp stoves) are allowed.
Air Quality: Smoke from wildland fires may impair air quality. Sensitive individuals should take precautions to avoid exposure. If you feel smoke is affecting your health, see a health professional. Also, please use caution when driving through smoky areas. For information on air quality in your area, visit www.airnow.gov.
Donations: We are so thankful for everyone’s donations. However, all our needs have been met. Those wishing to donate are encouraged to contact local, regional and national firefighting organizations or local groups who are providing shelter and supplies to displaced residents.
Chattooga River Ranger District

Rock Mountain Fire, Rabun and Towns Counties, GA (update)
Acres
9,382
Containment
30%
Location
Tallulah River Road, Straw Mountain Area
Date Discovered
Nov. 9, 2016
Cause
Human-caused; under investigation
Fire Information
Email: rockmountainfire@gmail.com       Phone: 470-208-2866
Evacuations
Rabun County—Call 911 for further information
·  Pre-evacuation for Patterson Gap north of Ramah Darom Church Camp
·  Pre-evacuation of all roads at Bettys Creek, north of Tom Wilson Rd. to the state line, which includes Messer Creek Rd., Hambridge Ct., High Darnell Rd. and Bryes Place Ln.

Towns County—Call 706-896-7460 for further information
·  Pre-evacuation for Hightower
·  Tate City residents are advised to shelter in place.


Chattooga River Ranger District (cont.)
Rock Mountain Fire, Rabun and Towns Counties, GA (cont.)


·   Charlies Creek Road and Tallulah River Road
·   Appalachian Trail between Dicks Creek Gap, GA and Rock Gap, NC
·   Southern Nantahala Wilderness in Georgia is closed east of the Appalachian Trail.
Summary
Continue structure protection and perimeter control. Continue scouting and identifying opportunities to be successful with reaching containment objectives. Continue strategic planning and developing contingencies.
Community Meeting
None



Timber Ridge Fire, Rabun County, GA (update)
Acres
888
Containment
95%
Location
Southeast of Clayton, GA
Date Discovered
Nov. 12, 2016
Cause
Unknown
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
Closures
None
Summary
Crews are monitoring the fire.
Community Meetings
None

Burrell and Burrells 42 Fires, Rabun County, GA (no change)
Acres
~185 acres combined
Containment
100% on Nov. 12, 2016
Location
Hwy. 28 near Burrells Ford
Cause
Human; under investigation
Fire Information
Phone: 470-208-2866
Evacuations
None
Closures
None
Summary
Crews continue to monitor fire for re-burn potential.
Community Meetings
None

Raven Fire, Union County, GA (no change)
Acres
20+
Containment
100%
Location
Raven Cliffs Wilderness
Cause
Unknown
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
Raven Cliffs Fall and Whitley Gap Trails
Summary
Crews continue to monitor fire and keep firelines clear of fresh leaf drop.
Community Meetings
None




Chattooga River Ranger District (cont.)
Rock Crusher Fire, Rabun County, GA (update)
Acres
4
Containment
100%
Location
Warwoman Road and Old Rock Crusher Road, Clayton, GA
Date Discovered
Nov. 16, 2016
Cause
Unknown
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
Closures
None
Summary
Crews continue to monitor.  Fire is expected to be 100% mopped up by the end of Nov. 19th.
Community Meetings
None

Conasauga Ranger District
Rough Ridge Fire, Murray, Fannin and Gilmer  Counties, GA (update)
Acres
27,870
Containment
45%
Location
Cohutta Wilderness
Date Discovered
Oct. 16, 2016
Cause
Lightning
Fire Information
Phone: 470-208-2839     http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5078
Evacuations
None













Please respect all closures and monitor changes. Closures are in place for public and firefighter safety. Law Enforcement is assisting with road closures and fire restrictions by increasing patrols and working extended shifts. The following closures remain in place:
·   Cohutta Wilderness, National Forest lands north and west of FS Road 64, and National Forest lands east of FS Road 16, and the Conasauga River.
·   FS Road 64 from Watson Gap to Potatopatch (entire length).
·   FS Road 68 from Holly Creek Gap to Lake Conasauga.
·   FS Road 49 from Lake Conasauga to Grassy Mountain Tower.
·   FS Road 17 from the intersection with FS road 68 north to Old Highway 2.
·   FS Road 16 between the Conasauga River and Jacks River.
·   FS Road 51 from the intersection of Cottonwood Patch to the wilderness boundary.
·   FS Road 630 east of Hickey Gap at Lackey Knob and Hal Brannon Road.
·   Jack’s River Fields, Cottonwood Patch, Lake Conasauga (and the day-use area) and Overflow Campgrounds.
Summary
Crews continue to monitor and mop up.
Community Meetings
None

FS22-1 Fire, Fannin County, GA (new)
Acres
~1.5
Containment
100% on Nov. 19, 2016
Location
Near Foster Branch Road, Epworth, GA
Date Discovered
Nov. 18, 2016
Cause
Human; under investigation
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
None
Summary
Crews are mopping up.
Community Meetings
None
Conasauga Ranger District (cont.)
Watson Gap Fire, Fannin County, GA (new)
Acres
~1.5
Containment
100% on Nov. 19, 2016
Location
Off Watson Road, Epworth, GA
Date Discovered
Nov. 18, 2016
Cause
Human; under investigation
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
None
Summary
Crews are mopping up.
Community Meetings
None

Strawberry Mountain Fire, Walker County, GA (no change)
Acres
477 (225 US Forest Service; 252 private land)
Containment
100%
Location
Strawberry Mountain near Manning Mill Creek
Date Discovered
Oct. 5, 2016
Cause
Unknown
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
Pinhoti Trail between West Armuchee Road and East Armuchee Road
Summary
Crews continue to monitor the fire for potential re-burn activity.
Community Meetings
None

Blue Ridge Ranger District
Chimney Top Fire, Union County, GA (update)
Acres
3
Containment
100%
Location
Approximately 1.5 miles west of Brasstown Bald Visitor Center in the Brasstown Wilderness
Cause
Unknown
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
The Arkaquah Trail (FS Trail #29) will be reopened on November 19th if conditions allow.
Visit http://tinyurl.com/Arkaquah for the latest information.
Summary
Crews continue to patrol, mop-up and monitor the fire.
Community Meetings
None

Coopers Fire, Union County, GA (no change)
Acres
8
Containment
95%
Location
Northeast of Suches, GA
Cause
Human
Date Discovered
Nov. 16, 2016
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
Closures
None
Summary
Crews continue to patrol and monitor the fire.
Community Meetings
None

Blue Ridge Ranger District (cont.)
Campbell Mountain Fire, Union County, GA (no change)
Acres
22
Containment
100%
Location
Campbell Mountain
Cause
Under investigation
Fire Information
Phone: 470-202-8844
Evacuations
None
Closures
None
Summary
Crews continue to monitor fire and keep firelines clear of fresh leaf drop and cold trail duff.
Community Meetings
None


To learn more about Georgia’s national forests, download the forest’s mobile app at http://tinyurl.com/CONFmobileapp






No comments:

Post a Comment