National Forests in North Carolina
160A Zillicoa St. Asheville, N.C. 28801
JIC WILDFIRE
SUMMARY
Phone: 828-575-2352
ncjicinformation@gmail.com
http://ncjic.blogspot.com
Media Contacts:
Cathy Dowd, 828-257-4215
Lisa Jennings, 828-337-1359
Joint Information Center Western NC Wildfire Summary
Saturday,
November 19, 2016
CURRENT SITUATION
Despite warm, dry conditions yesterday,
there was little growth on area fires. Total large fire acreage today is at
46,902 acres, an increase of 930 acres from yesterday. A red flag warning is in
effect until midnight tonight for increased fire danger across the NC Mountains
and foothills. Some areas received trace amounts of rain this morning, but high
winds quickly dried fuels. Western NC is experiencing sustained winder of 10-15
mph and gusts up to 40 mph this afternoon. Windy conditions are expected to
continue through tomorrow afternoon. Fire crews are monitoring containment
lines during the wind event. Re-burn is a concern on all fires as new fuels
(dried leaves, branches, etc.) fall onto hot spots.
AIR QUALITY
INFORMATION
The response of ongoing fires to this new weather
system is difficult to predict, so out of caution a Code Orange forecast has
been issued for the Hickory forecast region, as well as for Cleveland, Polk,
Rutherford, Macon, and Clay counties tomorrow, due to these areas' proximity to
ongoing fires. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The
general public is not likely to be affected.
Code Yellow conditions are currently
expected in the Asheville and Charlotte forecast regions, but this forecast may
be subject to change Sunday morning if observations show that smoky conditions
are building back in to these regions. Unusually sensitive people should consider
limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
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
The North Carolina Forest Service continues
to ban open fires in 25 western counties in North Carolina. Under North
Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties,
regardless of whether a permit was issued. The issuance of any new permits also
has been suspended until the ban is lifted.
HUNTER
INFORMATION
Rifle hunting
season begins Monday in Western NC. For those hunting in the National Forests,
many areas have temporary Forest closures. Contact your local ranger district
to find specific information about closures, as closures may not be clear if
traveling off roads and trails. To ensure your safety and the safety of our
firefighters, please observe all closures and fire restrictions. For updated
hunting closure information visit http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Where-to-Hunt/Public-Places
TODAYS UPDATES ON MAJOR AREA FIRES
MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS—LAKE SANTEELAH
AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY)
On Friday, helicopters dropped
approximately 67,000 gallons of water along the southern and western flanks of
the fire to address hot spots identified by an infrared (IR) flight. All the
hot spots pinpointed by the IR flights are well inside perimeter lines. Work on
both fires now consists primarily of patrolling and mopping up containment
lines. Firefighters are contending with a drastic change in weather today as a
cold front moves into the area.
Acreage: 7,788 — Containment: 51% — Personnel:
340 — Start Date: November 4
Tellico Fire
(USFS—NANTAHALA GORGE AREA, Swain and Macon Counties)
High winds today and tomorrow may
intensify fire spread. Leaf fall will also increase and re-burn will be
possible where leaves and smoldering fire meet. Fuel moisture levels at
historic lows combined with predicted high winds make extreme fire behavior
possible today. Spread rates will be highest along ridges and exposed areas.
Extended burn periods are possible with no breaks in wind and modest humidity
recovery.
Acreage: 13,874 — Containment: 88% — Personnel:
464 — Start Date: November 3
Boteler Fire
(USFS—CHUNKY GAL AREA, Clay County)
Today, firefighters will patrol and
monitor existing fire lines as continued leaf fall is causing problems by
covering control lines and increasing re-burn potential. Hot spots detected by
infrared over flights east of East Vineyard and will be closely monitored. Two
initial attack groups will be prepared to respond to any new fires in the area.
Acreage: 9,015 — Containment: 72% — Personnel:
390 — Start Date: October 25
CATHY GAP FIRE (USFS –
JACKSON/TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LINE)
Crews continue to work to contain and
suppress the Cathy Gap Fire. Fire lines are being strengthened and crews will
monitor the fire to ensure that any flare-ups do not escape the fire line. A
substantial number of firefighters and equipment have been assigned to the fire
and still more are in staging, ready to respond should they be needed.
Acreage: 123 — Containment: 80% —
Personnel: 71 — Start Date: November 17
PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS—LAKE LURE AREA,
RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES)
Firefighters are prepared for this
weekend’s wind event. Today 2 light & 1 medium helicopter will support fire
operations; air tankers will be used to reinforce contingency lines with
retardant during the morning. The West and East sides of fire have been secured
and firefighters will patrol these lines through the weekend.
Acreage: 7,171— Containment: 36% — Personnel:
920 — Start Date: November 5
CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS—SOUTH MOUNTAINS
STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY)
In preparation for today’s weather,
burnout operations were completed yesterday near containment lines. Structure
protection groups used leaf blowers and rakes to remove leaf litter around
homes near the fire area.
Acreage: 6,340 — Containment: 35% — Personnel:
325 — Start Date: November 6
DOBSON 3 FIRE (BIA – QUALLA BOUNDARY,
JACKSON COUNTY)
Fire Fighters will be monitoring the fire
for any activity. We are asking everyone to stay diligent in helping prevent
wild fires.
Acreage: 756 acres — Containment: 85% —
Personnel: 80 — Start Date: November 2
ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS – SOUTHERN
NANTAHALA WILDERNESS IN GA AND NC)
Predicted winds will test firelines today
and if new fires start they have the potential for rapid spread. In response,
additional resources have been assigned to provide initial attack response and
the public is reminded of the importance of extreme caution with anything that
could lead to a new fire start. Firefighters will patrol and re-clear existing
containment lines on the east, west and south fire perimeter. The wind
increases the potential for burning leaves to move outside containment lines.
Acreage:
9,382 — Containment: 30% — Personnel: 482 — Start Date: November 9
EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES
PARTY ROCK FIRE Pre-evacuations:
County officials
and fire managers have issued a pre-evacuation notice for residents living in
areas and communities east of the Party Rock Fire. This precautionary action is
being taken because of the potential for further fire growth to the northeast, east,
and southeast due to predicted high winds. Residents of Riverbend Highlands,
Buffalo Creek Road, Three Creeks, Tatanka, Apple Valley, Shumont Estates, and
Buffalo Shoals Road north of Moffitt Road are included in this pre-evacuation
notice. Residents that received the notice need to be prepared accordingly and
be situationally aware. For information on how to prepare for an evacuation,
visit http://www.wildlandfirersg.org/.
NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST CLOSURES
Major closures
on the Nantahala include:
·
Southern Nantahala Wilderness
(North Carolina)
·
Nantahala National Forest lands
east of Eagle Fork community to Southern Nantahala Wilderness boundary
·
Nantahala National Forest lands
south of US 64 and Allison Creek Road (SR 1448), to the Southern Nantahala
Wilderness boundary (including the Standing Indian and Hurricane Creek areas)
·
Nantahala National Forest lands
west of the Nantahala Mountains ridge from Mooney Gap to Wallace Gap, and west
to the Southern Nantahala Wilderness boundary (including the Appalachian Trail,
side trails, and shelter sites)
·
Nantahala National Forest lands
north of US64 and east of State Road 1330 to Nantahala Ranger District boundary
·
Nantahala National Forest lands
south and east of State Road 1307 from State Road 1330 to US64 and the
Nantahala Ranger District Boundary
·
Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness
·
Wesser Creek Trail
·
Chunky Gal Trail
·
Whitewater Falls Trail and portions of Foothills Trail
·
Benton MacKaye Trail east of Beech Gap
·
Appalachian Trail in Nantahala National Forest
Call the US Forest Service office for more
information on road and trail closures: 828-257-4200
DONATIONS
Firefighters in
western North Carolina greatly appreciate the donations they have received from
community members and businesses. The generosity has been overwhelming for
volunteer fire departments and Forest Service offices.
In an effort to
manage donated materials, North Carolina Department of Emergency Management, in
cooperation with the Western North Carolina Association of Firefighters and the
North Carolina and U.S. Forest Service, asks that community members direct
their donations to specific counties.
Buncombe
County: Fairview Fire Department 828-628-2001
Burke County:
Fire Information Hot Line 828-764-9380
Clay County:
Office of Emergency Management 828-389-9640
Cherokee
County: Office of Emergency Management 828-837-7352
Graham County:
Office of Emergency Management 828-479-7967
Jackson County:
Office of Emergency Management 828-586-7592
Macon County:
Office of Emergency Management 828-349-2067
Henderson
County: Mission Impact Center 828-692-1262
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