Residents and drivers in the area of Ball Ground Highway and East Cherokee Drive are advised to use caution due to smoke from a large wood pile fire.
According to Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services, at about 6 a.m. Thursday, a large wood pile fire broke out at Cowart Mulch, off Ball Ground Highway near East Cherokee Drive.
The fire was still burning Friday and is expected to burn for an extended period as teams work to separate the pile and completely extinguish the blaze.
Significant smoke is affecting the immediate area and extending beyond, the fire department reports. Motorists and residents are advised to use extreme caution when traveling through affected areas, as smoke conditions may settle near roadways and reduce visibility, especially during morning and evening hours.
The fire is likely to last “several days,” Cherokee Fire spokesperson Capt. Michael Sims said.