|
Contact: John McCutcheon, 423-752-5213x139
Dade County, GA: On Monday, July 11, a wildland fire was reported on the western slope of Lookout Mountain within the boundaries of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, southwest of Covenant College.At various times since the report, personnel from the Georgia Forestry Commission, the West Brow Fire and Rescue, the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the National Park Service (NPS) have worked diligently to suppress the fire. As of Monday, August 1, the 20.38 acre fire was reported as being 100% controlled. Currently, fire crews have been released from the fire and there are no fire crews in the area of the fire. Rangers at Chickamauga &Chattanooga NMP will continue to monitor the area daily to ensure the safety of park visitors and the protection of park resources. Trails that were closed on Lookout Mountain on the western slope have been reopened, to include the Bluff Trail, John Smartt, and Jackson Gap trails.The National Park Service advises to stay on the trails, do not hike off trail and go into the burned areas because of unseen hazards that still exist in the area. If smoke is seen or smelled hikers and/or homeowners are encouraged to call 911 or the National Park Service at 706-866-9241. The success experienced in controlling this wildland fire was greatly aided by the participation of private landowners near the park boundary who supported efforts to create defensible spaces around their homes. To learn more about how you can make your neighborhood safer from wildland fire, please visit the "Firewise Communities" website maintained by the National Fire Protection Association at: http://www.firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness/be-firewise/home-and-landscape.aspx?sso=0 |
Last updated: August 1, 2016