View as Webpage

Thank you for your interest in #BurnAlerts for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. We have new information to share:

We have the right weather to conduct safe controlled burns with good smoke dispersion.

Rabun County

Today the Chattooga River Ranger District will be conducting prescribed fire operations to improve wildlife habitat, enhance forest health and remove hazardous fuels such as leaf litter, dead vegetation, and debris. The 1261-acre Milksick burn unit is located within the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area approximately 5 miles NE of Clayton, Ga. in Rabun County.

View enlargeable map: https://arcg.is/1GH0Wn0

Motorists are advised to use caution if they encounter smoke or impaired vision on any nearby roadways.

A portion of the Bartram Trail will be closed from Courthouse Gap to Wilson Gap. View trail interactive visitor map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ivm/index.html?minx=-9286046.693302965&miny=4145852.9037603904&maxx=-9263688.862529581&maxy=4157394.8950314363&exploremenu=no

Walker County

Today the Conasauga Ranger District will be conducting prescribed fire operations to improve wildlife habitat, enhance forest health and remove hazardous fuels such as leaf litter, dead vegetation, and debris. The 769-acre Pocket North burn unit is located within John's Mountain Wildlife Management Area 4 miles SE of Villanow, Ga. in Walker County.

View enlargeable map: https://arcg.is/0Ojebn

Motorists are advised to use caution if they encounter smoke or impaired vision on any nearby roadways.



Portions of the Pinhoti Trail near the burn unit will be closed. View trail on interactive visitor map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ivm/index.html?minx=-9491044.65184811&miny=4104752.3194796946&maxx=-9446328.990301343&maxy=4127836.3020217866&exploremenu=no

Learn more: Prescribed fire science: Why it’s needed now more than ever

Find more info about how the Forest Service in Georgia manages the land with prescribed fire and discover ways to stay in-the-know with all our planned burn projects at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/conf/fire.

Fire plays an important role in the health of forest ecosystems by helping recycle nutrients back to the soil and promoting the growth of trees and other plants. Burned forests provide habitat for many wildlife species, including several birds and amphibians. Professional wildland managers use prescribed fire, or “GoodFire,” to enhance wildlife habitat and improve the health of the forest landscape. Read more: Frequently Asked Questions about prescribed fire in Georgia.

When favorable weather conditions exist, fire managers may apply controlled prescribed fire to restore approximately 35,000 acres on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in October through December, and from early February through May.

Carefully planned and controlled prescribed fire during the spring growing season can provide ideal habitat conditions for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, bobwhite quail, wild turkey and other wildlife.

After many years of fire exclusion, an ecosystem that needs periodic fire becomes unhealthy. Trees are stressed by overcrowding; fire-dependent species disappear; and flammable fuels build up and become hazardous. However, the right fire at the right place at the right time helps maintain healthy forests, communities and watersheds. Learn more.

✉ Sign up for #BurnAlerts at www.fs.usda.gov/conf

Follow: @ChattOconeeNF on Facebook and X

Office locations:



Chatsworth 706-695-6736

Blairsville 706-745-6928

Lakemont 706-754-6221

Eatonton 706-485-7110

Gainesville 770-297-3000