National Forests in
North Carolina
160A
Zillicoa St.
Asheville,
N.C. 28801
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JIC WILDFIRE SUMMARY
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Joint Information Center (JIC):
http://ncjic.blogspot.com
Media Contacts:
Cathy
Dowd, 828-257-4215
Lisa
Jennings, 828-337-1359
|
Joint
Information Center Western NC Wildfire
EVENING SUMMARY ~ SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2016
CURRENT SITUATION
Dry conditions will continue into the middle of the week. A ridge of high pressure will move across the state on Tuesday, bringing lighter winds to the state before winds increase out of the southwest on Wednesday in advance of an incoming cold front. With no relief in the form of rainfall during midweek, wildfire-generated smoke and correspondingly unhealthy air quality will continue to be a problem across western and possibly central portions of North Carolina through the end of midweek, while generally good air quality should remain in place across eastern portions of the state.
Localized
Code Orange conditions are likely being observed downwind of developing fires
in McDowell and Ashe counties, including localized effects in neighboring
Wilkes, Rutherford and Cleveland counties. Lower particle pollution
concentrations in the Code Yellow or Code Green ranges are otherwise being
observed over the rest of the state today. For a display of the most recent air
quality conditions throughout the remainder of this afternoon, please visit the
US EPA's AIRNOW web site.
Arson Reporting
North Carolina is offering a reward of up to $10,000
to be issued to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and
conviction of the person or persons who are 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 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 their website: www.wetip.com or by
calling their hotline at (800) 47-ARSON ((800) 472-7766).
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 is still in effect. 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
DONATION CONTACT INFORMATION
Contributions
can be mailed to:
Many of the counties continue to receive donations for individual fires. To
donate to an area fire near you, go to http://ncjic.blogspot.com/p/donations.html
The
Western North Carolina Firefighters Association has created a monetary fund to
help local Fire Departments recover from the Wildfires that effected Western
North Carolina.
Attention: Western North Carolina Firefighters’ Fund
Skyland Fire and Rescue Department
P.O. Box 640
Skyland, North Carolina, 28776
828-684-6421
TODAY’S UPDATES ON MAJOR AREA
FIRES
CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS – PLEASANT GARDEN, MCDOWELL COUNTY)
Local, regional, state and federal crews continue to
work the Clear Creek fire in Pleasant Garden. Eastern Montana IMT Type 2 Team
will assume command tomorrow 11/21/16. No evacuations have been necessary thus
far. Emergency crews continue to keep residents in that area abreast of the
situation.
Acreage: 150
– Start Date: November 20
PINEY MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS – CURTIS CREEK, MCDOWELL COUNTY)
The U.S. Forest Service has taken control of the
Piney Mountain fire off Curtis Creek Road in Old Fort. No evacuations have been
necessary thus far.
Acreage:
56 – Start Date: November 20
MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE
(USFS—LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY)
A
blasting team was brought in to mitigate hazard trees in the Joyce Kilmer
Memorial Forest. Fire managers identified approximately two dozen dead hemlock
trees that posed a safety hazard for firefighters working in the wilderness
area and blasting was determined to be the safest and most environmentally
friendly way to remove them. In addition, blasting the trees gives a more
natural appearance than cutting them down with chainsaws. The blasting team
conducted a successful test operation on Saturday afternoon and blasting
operations were expected to be completed today. Work on both fires now consists
primarily of patrolling and mopping up containment lines.
Acreage: 7,788 — Containment: 51% — Personnel: 315 — Start Date: November
4
Tellico Fire (USFS—NANTAHALA GORGE AREA, Swain
and Macon Counties)
Minimal
creeping and smoldering fire behavior was observed on the fire today. An
infrared flight conducted Saturday evening showed isolated hot spots within the
interior of the fire. Leaf fall continues to be a concern as it accumulates in
the burned area and on containment lines.
Firefighters
will continue to strengthen contaminant lines, provide structure protection as
needed and keep fire lines free of leaf litter. Preparation is underway for
suppression repair operations that will serve to minimize the impact of fire
suppression activities on the unburned sections of the forest, adjacent to the
burn area.
Acreage: 13,874 — Containment: 90% — Personnel: 260— Start Date: November
3
Boteler Fire (USFS—CHUNKY GAL AREA, Clay County)
Gusty
winds and low humidity will test fire lines this evening. Firefighters will
monitor and respond to any threats to the containment line. Leaf fall continues
to challenge containment efforts by covering firelines causing reburn. Planned
actions include patrolling and monitoring existing fire lines. Hot spots
detected by infrared over flights east of East Vineyard will be closely
monitored. Firefighters are prepared to respond to any new fires in the area
Acreage: 9,015— Containment: 72% — Personnel: 391 – Start Date: October
25
CATHY GAP FIRE (USFS – JACKSON/TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LINE)
Based
on completed containment actions and available staffing, no fire spread is
anticipated. Risk should be reduced as the cold front moves past the area and
wind speeds moderate. Fire crews will strengthen containment lines and provide
structure protection where needed. Increased wind speeds will result in a
heavier leaf fall. These leaves will accumulate, and add to the potential for
re-burn inside the fire area. Crews will patrol and clear leaves from
containment lines.
Acreage: 123 — Containment: 85% — Personnel: 53 — Start Date: November 17
PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS—LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON
COUNTIES)
Strong
winds tested containment lines on the Party Rock Fire Saturday and through the
night into Sunday morning, but fire managers report there was no fire growth
outside those lines. Continued windy conditions and low humidity kept firefighters
on their toes again today. No new evacuation warnings have been issued but
residents near the fire are asked to remain vigilant. Residents and business
owners are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts through their county or
local government websites.
Acreage: 7,171 — Containment: 36% — Personnel: 907 — Start Date: November
5
CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS—SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY)
Crews
are patrolling and monitoring the fire perimeter. Firefighters have noticed
active re-burn within the burn area where leaves have fallen.
Acreage: 6,424— Containment: 40% — Personnel: 330 — Start Date: November
6
ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS – SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC)
Fire
crews continue structure protection and perimeter control. Continue scouting
and identifying opportunities to be successful with reaching containment
objectives. Continue strategic planning and developing contingencies.
Acreage: 11,287— Containment: 30% — Personnel: 498— 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
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