The Taylor Hollow Fire has been fully contained, National Forest officials said Monday.
The wildfire sparked about five miles east of Fairfield in a dense, unpopulated area of the Georgia Washington and Jefferson National Forest on July 5 and grew to 108 acres. Over the last few weeks, more than 130 firefighters from across the country were brought in to battle the blaze, some from as far away as California.
Rain in recent days vastly improved conditions and cooled temperatures.
By Friday, the fire was 99% contained. Crews then worked through the weekend to rehabilitate any of the ground they disturbed while trying to contain the fire.
“Wherever crews have pushed in dozier lines or built any kind of lines, or are done with the area, they will go back and reseed it,” a NFS official told The News-Gazette.
The Whetstone Ridge Trail and Big Mary’s Road have since reopened. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the area.
Earlier this month, The News-Gazette spoke to Forest Service public information officer Stephanie Chapman, who said the cause of the fire has not been determined, but there was lightning in the area at the time it broke out. The fire is still under investigation.
Difficult terrain and a lack of rain earlier this month made conditions treacherous for firefighters and hampered their initial efforts. Several firefighters sustained minor injures, Chapman said.
“A huge thank you to all the firefighters and crews who came to help us with this fire,” officials wrote on social media.
