11/22/16 Maple Springs/Old Roughy

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Summary:

A reconnaissance flight on Monday found no smokes on the Maple Springs fire and an evening infrared flight revealed only a half dozen small areas of heat, all well within established containment lines. 

Acreage on the Maple Springs fire remains at an estimated 7,788 acres and containment is unchanged at 69 percent. The only uncontained line on the fire is in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. Size and containment on the Old Roughy fire remains at an estimated 657 acres and 100 percent containment.

As fire activity wanes, so too does the number of personnel and resources assigned to the two fires. The total personnel assigned to the fire Tuesday morning stood at 276.

Weather conditions today will be warmer but not as dry as Monday. Daytime temperatures will be in the 60s with the relative humidity in the mid 20 percent range, both slightly higher than Monday. Another dry cold front is expected to move into the area late Wednesday.

A fireline explosive crew completed a blasting operation on Monday by removing three hazard trees along an access road leading into the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. The trees were identified as safety hazards for firefighters and blasting them with explosives is a safer and more natural method than cutting them down with chainsaws. Blasting the trees also aligns with the U.S. Forest Service’s policy prohibiting the use of mechanized equipment in a wilderness area.

Firefighters are mopping up and patrolling fire lines on both the Maple Springs and Old Roughy fires. Crews have started rehabilitating dozer lines, helispot bases and other areas where suppression actions have disturbed the landscape. Seeding of those areas will begin today to help reduce the potential for erosion due to rainfall and runoff.

A U.S. Forest Service closure order remains in effect for the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and roads leading into the area. 

Fire Size:

Maple Springs Fire: 7,788 acres, 69% contained
Old Roughy Fire: 657 acres, 100% contained
Location:  North of Lake Santeetlah
Started:  11/04/16 Maple Springs; 11/08/16 Old Roughy Causes to be determined.
Total personnel: 276 responders
Management:  Rocky Mountain Type 2 Blue Team
Burn ban in effect: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/
Air Quality Reports: http://webcam.srs.fs.fed.us/wildfires/WNC_Fires_AQ_Summary.pdf
Forest Closure Order Map: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd524423.pdf