11/13/16 Wildfire Information

CURRENT SITUATION Fire crews are making progress on containing fires around the region. Acreage burned continues to increase, but containment is also increasing. As we have been anticipating, a weather system developed this morning and through the day, producing some cloudiness and some light rain from northeastern Georgia/South Carolina into southern portions of North Carolina. Areas around this system will see RH minimums in the upper 40%s to 50%s, however, minimal rain is expected in the North Carolina mountains. Any fire activity and potential will be significantly muted today. These favorable weather conditions are allowing firefighters to make progress on containment today. However, a high-pressure system is expected to return to the area tomorrow, with no significant chance of rain forecasted in the next 10 days. AIR QUALITY INFORMATION A code red air quality alert is in effect today for Asheville Valleys (under 4,000ft in elevation). A code red alert for AQI (Air Quality Index) means everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Limit your time outdoors today. Keep windows and doors closed in your home and run your HVAC. BURNING RESTRICTIONS A total fire ban is in effect for all lands in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests; however, commercially available heating equipment, portable lanterns, or stoves that use gas or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. More information is at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd524246.. A North Carolina Forest Service ban on all open burning in all 25 Western NC counties. More information is at www.ncforestservice.gov/news_pubs/newsdesk_2016.htm# 1107161. MAPLE SPRINGS AND OLD ROUGHY FIRES (USFS—GRAHAM COUNTY) Firefighters are making good progress containing both the Maple Springs and Old Roughy fires. There was an increase of approximately 350 acres on the Maple Springs fire on Saturday, most of which was on the southwest corner of the fire in the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness. On the Old Roughy fire, crews are mopping up and patrolling containment lines while also flagging and mapping potential dozer lines that could be used in the future if needed. Maple Springs: Acreage: 6,822—Containment: 10%—Start Date: November 4 Old Roughy: Acreage: 656—Containment: 5%—Start Date: November 8 Tellico Fire (USFS—Swain and Macon Counties) The southwest side-where the fire is backing downslope to Queens Creek near the community of Fairview-is the last remaining area of active fire on the Tellico Fire. On the west side, crews will monitor and mop up the fire along Highway 19/74 but limit their exposure as falling rocks and trees present a significant hazard. Acreage: 13,676—Containment: 33%—Start Date: November 3 Boteler Fire (USFS—Clay County) Today, crews continue to construct a contingency line on the northern end of Buck Creek Road. They will also conduct burnout operations to strengthen firelines in the area north of Jackie Cove Road. Acreage: 8,695—Containment: 23%—Start Date: October 25 PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS—RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES) The fire was again active on all perimeters except the east side. The western edge of the fire moved further downhill overnight off Round Top Mountain and was at the woods line in some areas of Chimney Rock Village. Structure protection firefighters are in place in multiple communities.  Smoke from the fire is impacting the Asheville area. A stretch of Highway 74-A leading into Chimney Rock Village from the north and south remains closed. Acreage: 2,883—Containment: 15%—Start Date: November 5 CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS—BURKE COUNTY) An Incident Management Team was ordered from the Florida Forest Service to manage this incident and assume command of the fire today. Due to extremely dry conditions and rugged terrain, the fire has grown significantly. Several state parks in western North Carolina have been closed to allow the state to deploy additional resources to assist in fighting fires. In addition to South Mountains and Chimney Rock parks, New River, Elk Knob, Mount Mitchell, Lake James and Gorges state parks and Mount Jefferson State Natural Area will be closed until the fire is contained and staff can return to their assigned parks.  Acreage: 2,850—Containment: 15%—Start Date: November 6 ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (N OF CLAYTON GA) 4,100 acre fire is close to the NC State Line, more info at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/ Swain County Residents along the following closed roads are under a mandatory evacuation order: Big Dog Road, Gassaway Road, Licklog Road, Long Branch Road, Luther Bingham, Mason Road, Morgan Road, Northern Partridge Road, Silver Mine Road, East Silver Ridge Road, Wesser Creek Road, Wilkes Road. Evacuation shelter: Swain County Senior Center is available if needed. Call Swain County Dispatch 828-488-2196 if you need shelter services. Macon County Residents along the following roads are under a mandatory evacuation order: Deweese Road and Partridge Creek Road. Tellico Road is also closed Evacuation shelter: Macon County EMS Base, 1096 Junaluska Road, Topton, NC. Clay County The following Nantahala National Forest roads are closed: 6226 (Vinyard), 351 (Nelson Ridge), 350 (Perry Gap), and 348 (Old 64). Graham County Residents along the following roads are under a mandatory evacuation order: Ryefield Road, Jordan Hill Road, Hidden Falls Road, Lindy Branch Road, Gold Mine Road, Boyd Phillips Road, Hideaway Ridge Trail, Story Ridge Trail, Valley View Trail, and Timbercrest Trail in the Lake Santeelah area. Evacuation shelter: 1st Baptist Church in Robbinsville, 101 Church Street Robinsville, NC Major closures on Nantahala National Forest Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness is closed. Wesser Creek Trail is closed. Chunky Gal Trail from Glade Gap to Tusquitee Gap is closed. Whitewater Falls Trail and portions of Foothills Trail are closed. Benton MacKaye Trail is closed east of Beech Gap. Appalachian Trail from the Nantahala River at Wesser south to Rock Gap Trailhead on Forest Road 67 is closed. Call the US Forest Service office for more information on road and trail closures: 828-257-4200  .