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Rough Ridge wildfire mgt. team to hold open house, blaze grows to 21,000 acres

The Rough Ridge Fire has spread over 21,533 acres and is 20 percent contained, with more than 200 firefighters working to extinguish it.
Firefighters battle flames of wildfires in north Georgia.

FANNIN COUNTY, Ga. – As the Rough Ridge wildfire expands another 2,000 acres, the Southern Area Incident Management Gold Team holds an open house for the public.

The Rough Ridge Fire, in the Cohutta Wilderness Area on the Chattahoochee National Forest, has spread to 21,533 acres--20 percent is contained. More than 200 personnel are assigned to the fire, including three crews, two helicopters, eight engines and two bulldozers.

An open house will be held at the Powerhouse, at 2985 Old Hwy. 5, in Blue Ridge, Ga., from 6-8 p.m., and will give the public information about the fire management and will allow the opportunity to discuss the wildfires encroaching into their community.

More: 11Alive Wildfire special section

The entire 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 are closed.

Depending on the wind, fire and weather, smoke will continue to impact areas southeast of the Cohutta Wilderness. However, fires throughout northern Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina all have the potential to affect air quality, according to the national USDA Forest Service.

While Metro Atlanta is 90 miles from this wildfire, the area is currently code red, or unhealthy, due to the wildfires and wind conditions. The skyline has been blanketed in a smoky haze since last week.

Interactive map: Track the fires, ongoing updates

The Boteler Fire, off of Cold Branch Road near Shooting Creek N.C., was discovered burning on the Tusquitee Ranger District of the National Forests of North Carolina, 15 miles east of Murphy, N.C., on Oct. 25. (Brad Perkins/Brad Perkins Photography)

INTERACTIVE MAP | N. Georgia wildfires spread, grow -- Check for ongoing updates

Photos | Wildfires spread across the mid-South

Photos | Smoke all over metro Atlanta

Photos | Rough Ridge wildfire

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