12/01/16 - Boteler and Nantahala Branch Fires - 2:00pm Update

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

Fire Suppression Activity

Yesterday’s rain continued to assist firefighting efforts on all fires in the region. Today, crews will continue to make progress with mopping up firelines, patrolling and clearing established containment lines of newly fallen leaves. Firefighters will also continue to assess for suppression-repair needs on the larger fires and begin with restoration efforts to prefire conditions. Any hotspots that remain on the larger fires are well within the perimeter and may continue to produce smoke; however, any interior reburning that exists is not threatening containment lines. Excess resources are being released and available to assist with other area fires.

Camp Branch Fire (Macon County)

Size: 3,422 acres                               Containment: 75 percent             Start Date: November 22

Boteler Fire (Clay County)

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

Maple Springs and Old Roughy Fires (Graham County)

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

Weather and Fire Behavior

Weather conditions following the recent storm over the area will lead to dry and cool conditions today. Temperatures will be trending down, reaching highs of 40 to 50 degrees today and dry air reducing relative humidity to the upper 30’s to lower 40’s percentile. Light northwest winds are expected across the region at 7 to 10 mph, slightly higher along ridgetops, 9 to 12, with gusts to 18 mph. This pattern will continue into Saturday with an increase in chances of rain late in the weekend.

Nantahala National Forest Closures

·        All forest closures remain in effect for the Tusquitee: bit.ly/2fArtYf, Cheoah: bit.ly/2fDZuqt, and the Tusquitee and Nantahala Ranger Districts: bit.ly/2g1iPm1. Visit the bit.ly link for full information

Burning Restrictions

·        A total fire ban remains 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 visit http://ncjic.blogspot.com.  

Arson Reporting

·        Yesterday, a suspect was arrested and charged with setting 2 fires in Macon County. The public is asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

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