Black Mountain Fire Contained
Appalachian Trail Approach Trail Sign in Amicalola Falls State Park — Photograph by Robert Sutherland
A significant wildfire that closed that closed the trail to Springer Mountain and the Appalachian Trail has been fully contained.
The U.S. Forest Service says the area was reopened after being closed for five days as the Forest Service and partners battled a large wildfire they termed “The Black Mountain Fire.” It is now fully contained within a 455-acre containment area.
The wildfire began Saturday near the Black Mountain and Springer Mountain area of the Chattahoochee National Forest near the Dawson, Gilmer, Fannin and Lumpkin County lines. A large response team was mobilized which included the local U.S. Forest Service Type 3 Incident Management Team and crews from a neighboring national forest. Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lumpkin County Fire Department and Gilmer County Fire Department all assisted in the response.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The wildfire did not affect any structures, including the Black Mountain trail shelter and was not a threat to Amicalola Falls State Park or the Len Foote Hike Inn.
All temporary closures have been lifted for the Appalachian Trail approach trail from its crossing on Forest Road 28-2 at Nimblewill Gap to the Springer Mountain trailhead parking area on Forest Road 42. In addition, Forest Road 46 between Nimblewill Gap and High Shoals Church Road is now open.