11/30/16 - Boteler and Nantahala Branch Fires - 10:00am Update

For a downloadable, printable version of this update, click here.

Camp Branch Fire (Macon County)

Yesterday, crews pulled fire hose and excess supplies and equipment off the fireline. They also mopped up and secured containment lines. If rain and wind hamper field operations today, they will use that time to sharpen, maintain, and clean tools, engines, and equipment. As trees are downed by strong winds, firefighters will clear them off roads, such as Wayah Road (SR 1310), Forest Road 711, Locust Tree Branch Road. They remain positioned to respond to any new fire starts.

Size: 3,210 acres                   Containment: 75 percent                  Start Date: November 22

Boteler Fire (Clay County)

Yesterday’s rain and today’s expected rain, is assisting firefighting efforts on this fire. Crews are making good progress mopping up fireline and repairing areas affected by fire-suppression activity. Higher elevations received three and a half inches of rain Monday night and Tuesday morning, with more expected today.

Size: 9,036 acres                  Containment: 85 percent                   Start Date: October 25

Maple Springs and Old Roughy Fires (Graham County)

Hotspots that remain well within the Old Roughy Fire’s perimeter may produce smoke; however, any interior reburning that exists is not threatening containment lines. Suppression repairs are complete on both fires. The containment percentage will gradually increase as aerial observers confirm that firelines in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area, which are not being monitored on foot, are holding and secure.

Maple Springs:   Size: 7,788 acres    Containment: 78 percent     Start Date: November 4

Suppression-Repair Group

Suppression-repair crews have completed restoration on the Whitewater, Boardtree, Muskrat Valley, and Wine Springs Fires. They are currently working on the Dick’s Creek, Knob, and Grape Cove Fires. The Cliffside, Moss Knob, Ridge Gap, and Mulberry Fires will be repaired next.

Patrol Group

Firefighters are patrolling and clearing containment lines of newly fallen leaves as needed on the following unstaffed fires: Buck Creek, Falls, Moses Creek, Jones Gap, Jarrett Knob, May Branch, Charley Creek, Nick, Howard Gap, Bullpen, Jones Creek, Cathey Gap, Dick’s Creek, and Tellico. Eventually they will be assessed for suppression-repair needs and restored to prefire conditions.

Weather and Fire Behavior

A wind advisory is in effect until 7 this evening. Southwest winds will range from 15 to 30 mph and 45-mph gusts are likely. A line of eastward moving rain is expected to reach the fire area mid-morning, bringing moderate amounts of precipitation and diminishing by 3 this afternoon. Rapid clearing and a shift to west winds will follow the rain. The maximum temperature is expected to be in the mid-60s. The minimum relative humidity will be in the mid-50s.

The issue associated with today’s wind is not so much its effect on fire behavior, which will be minimal due to rain and high relative humidity, but its effect on fire-weakened, rain-weakened trees. Expect trees to blow down onto roadways and trails.

Nantahala National Forest Closures

·        The Bartram Trail is closed from Harrison Gap at FR 713 (Shingletree Road) west to Nantahala Lake and from the trailhead at SR 106 to SR 1643 (Hickory Knoll Road). The Foothills Trail from SR 281 to the Bad Creek access, the Wesser Creek Trail, and the Whitewater Falls Trail are also closed.

·        An area closure order (No. 08-11-02-17-01) for the Cheoah Ranger District is in effect for lands, trails, and roads in the area surrounding the Maple Springs Fire including the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area. To view a map and complete list of closed roads and trails, go to bit.ly/2fDZuqt.

·        An area closure order (No. 08-11-09-17-02) for the Tusquitee Ranger District is in effect for lands, trails, and roads in the area surrounding the Boteler Fire. To view a map and complete list of closed roads and trails, go to bit.ly/2fArtYf.

·        An area closure order (No. 08-11-00-17-03) for the Tusquitee and Nantahala Ranger Districts is in effect for lands, trails, and roads southeast of the Boteler Fire. The closed area extends south from Highway 64 to the Georgia border and includes the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. The Appalachian Trail is closed from the Nantahala Outdoor Center south to the Georgia border. To view a map and complete list of closed roads and trails, go to bit.ly/2g1iPm1.

Burning Restrictions

A total fire ban is in effect for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests (bit.ly/2fikSmG) and for forty-seven western North Carolina counties (bit.ly/2gIBVyt).

Joint Information Center (JIC)

Email ncjicinformation@gmail.com, call 828-575-2840 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), or go to http://ncjic.blogspot.com.  

Arson Reporting

North Carolina is offering a reward up to $10,000 to be issued to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for setting wildfires in western North Carolina. Anyone having information concerning these wildfires should contact Macon County Crimestoppers at 828-349-2600 or Jackson County Crimestoppers at 828-631-1125.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is also seeking information regarding arson fires on Indian Lands of North Carolina through the WeTip Program. Up to $10,000 is being offered through this anonymous program. WeTip can be contacted through its website wetip.com or by calling its hotline 800-47-ARSON (800-472-7766).

For a downloadable, printable version of this map, click here.