GAINESVILLE, GA — Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) traveled to Rabun County to receive a briefing from the U.S. Forest Service on the Big Ridge Fire in the Chattooga River Ranger District, survey successful containment efforts, and discuss wildfire response, recovery, and future mitigation planning.

The Big Ridge Fire is the largest fire in the region since 2016, and only one of three wildfires in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest of significant size over the past 25 years. To date, the wildfire has burned more than 3,400 acres in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area. Currently, all burn bans and road closures put in place in response to the Big Ridge Fire have been lifted.

“I commend the interagency coordination and cooperation in response to the Big Ridge Fire in North Georgia,” said Clyde. “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. At its peak, more than 280 U.S. Forest Service firefighters and support personnel were assigned to manage the Big Ridge Fire, and I deeply appreciate all the remarkable folks here on the ground who have helped battle the blaze. 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.”

Rep. Clyde Learns More About Successful Efforts to Contain Big Ridge Fire

Rep. Clyde Prays for the Safety of Crews Responding to Big Ridge Fire

Rep. Clyde Receives Informative Briefing on Big Ridge Fire