 The wildfires that have spanned across the South were, and continue to be, fought by federal, state, local, tribal and volunteer agencies. The incident management teams and firefighters that have been working in North Carolina are beginning to ramp down fire operations and reduce their numbers, in part because of wet weather and reduced fire activity. While it can appear that teams and firefighters are leaving en masse at a time when concern over drought and fire conditions is not over, they only leave when there is another smaller group available to take over, or the local landowners feel able to take back and manage the fire themselves. On several large fires, containment has been reached, and the team has returned oversight to the land management agency. Many fire personnel and resources are reassigned to more active fires that need the help while others are sent home. In the last day, many people and much equipment was moved very quickly to Gatlinburg, Tennessee to aid in that effort. AIR QUALITY INFORMATION Forecast Valid: Thursday 12/01/16 Today's Air Quality Conditions: Fine particulate concentrations in the Code Green range are being observed at all monitors across the state. 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. General Forecast Discussion: Clearing skies, dry and cooler conditions are expected statewide tomorrow in the wake of a passing frontal boundary. Winds will be steady out of the west, and these trajectories will bring smoke from any ongoing wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park east into the Asheville forecast region. Localized Code Yellow conditions are currently forecast for the Asheville forecast region out of an abundance of caution. Code Green conditions are expected over the rest of the state tomorrow. Outlook: Partly cloudy, dry and cool weather will continue into the weekend, as high pressure builds over the Deep South. Good air quality will remain in place over most of the state through Saturday, with localized Code Yellow conditions remaining possible in the Asheville forecast region. TODAY'S UPDATES ON ACTIVE FIRES OR FIRE COMPLEXES Only those fires being actively managed and staffed are included in the Evening Summary. HORTON FIRE (NCFS - BLOWING ROCK, WATAUGA COUNTY) Firefighters continued to monitor and patrol the perimeter, extinguishing hotspots. Although the rain significantly cooled surface heat, only one-fourth inch of rain was received overnight. This is not enough moisture to suppress deep-seated pockets of heat that holdout in stump holes. Fire managers are developing a rehabilitation plan with North Carolina State Forest Service for the Horton Fire area. This plan involves, to the extent possible, returning the landscape that has been modified during firefighting operations to its original state. Acreage: 1,450 - Containment: 90% - Personnel: 50 - Start Date: November 21 http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/ CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY). Firefighters worked on rehabilitation projects in the accessible areas of the fire. If the next round of rain this afternoon requires the firefighters to leave the fire area, they will spend the afternoon working on projects at the North Carolina Mountain Training Center. Many resources were assigned to the Sevier County fires in Gatlinburg, TN. Acreage: 3,163 - Containment: 95% - Personnel: 231 - Start Date: November 20 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/# BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) Today's rain, assisted firefighting efforts on this fire. Crews are making good progress mopping up fireline and repairing areas affected by fire-suppression activity. Acreage: 9,036- Containment: 85% - Personnel: 164 - Start Date: October 25 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/ MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. No change Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 78% - Personnel: 17 - Start Date: November 4 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/ NANTAHALA BRANCH FIRES (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team is assigned management of the Nantahala Branch Fires. Under this branch, the fires being patrolled/monitored are: Tellico Fire, Old Roughy Fire, Buck Creek Fire, Falls Fire, Grape Cove Fire, Moses Creek Fire, Jones Gap Fire, Jarrett Knob Fire, Wine Spring Fire, Mulberry Fire, Moss Knob Fire, May Branch Fire, Boardtree Fire, Charley Creek Fire, Nick Fire, Ridge Gap Fire, Ferebee Fire, Cliffside Fire, Whitewater Fire, Howard Gap Fire, Knob Fire, Muskrat Fire, Bullpen Fire, Jones Creek Fire, Cathey Gap Fire, Dick's Creek Fire. CAMP BRANCH FIRE (USFS - OTTO, MACON COUNTY)The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Forest Road 69 (Wayah Bald Tower Road) remains closed due to the proximity of the Camp Branch Fire and associated firefighting activity. Drivers should use caution; smoke may limit visibility, and debris may roll onto the roadway. Acreage: 3,210 - Containment: 75% - Personnel: 285 - Start Date: November 23 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5110/# ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) The following roads remain closed: Coleman River Road, Patterson Gap Road and Abe Gap Road. The Southern Area Gold Type 2 team assumed management of the fire at 7:00 A.M. NOTE: Acreage is based on the 11/27/16 infrared aircraft reconnaissance flight. Acreage will be updated when weather conditions are favorable. Approximately 12,962 acres are in Georgia and 11,763 acres are in North Carolina (3,860 in Clay County and 7,903 in Macon County). Acreage: 24,725- Containment: 55% - Personnel: 679 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY) Fire crews evaluated trail and road conditions for access to fire areas. A North Carolina State Park assessment team continues to assess damages from the fire to trails and other areas of the park. This will be the last Chestnut Knob Fire update. For new information, go to our Facebook page ChestnutKnobFire. Last update provide on the Evening Summary. Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 90% - Personnel: 136 - Start Date: November 6 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES) Wet conditions and an afternoon storm prevented crews from working the firelines. If conditions allow, firefighters may be able to return to work on the lines Thursday. Incident command officials are hopeful they will be able to receive an overnight infrared flight. Trail Closures: Table Rock State Park reopened yesterday (Tuesday, Nov. 29). All facilities and roads will be open with the exception of the Carrick Creek Trail, the Table Rock Trail, the Pinnacle Mountain Trail and the Foothills trail portion that is located on Table Rock. The trail to the Carrick Creek Falls overlook will be open, as will the Pinnacle Lake trail. For more information, please contact the park directly at 864-878-9813 or tablerock@scprt.com. Acreage: 10,560 - Containment: 62% - Personnel: 137 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5108/ Media Advisory: For all information about the Pinnacle Mountain Fire and the ongoing response in South Carolina, all media should contact the Pinnacle Mountain Joint Information Center at (864) 898-2437 or pmfjic@gmail.com. OTHER PERTINENT LINKS Nantahala National Forest Closures http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?aid=37740 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (relative to the ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE) http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/home/?cid=fseprd523949 Appalachian Trail (A.T.) http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/trail-updates The latest information is available on the Joint Information Center blog athttp://ncjic.blogspot.com/ for the following topics:   For information about the Gatlinburg / Sevier County fires, please scroll posts on WKRK's Facebook and check out the local media outlets in the Knoxville, TN area. WKRK sends our thoughts and prayers to those who have lost so much in this tragedy. --- North Carolina Forest Service staff are assessing the need to continue the burn ban as rainfall moves through Western North Carolina. Residents are asked to remain vigilant as the burn ban is still in place at this time. No open fires, such as campfires, woody debris or trash burning are allowed. Updates will be posted onto the ncjic.blogspot.com. AIR QUALITY INFORMATION Conditions: Particle pollution is within the Code Green range in most of the state. Particle pollution may be in the Code Yellow range due to smoke downwind (mainly north) of active and smoldering wildfires. 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. General Forecast Discussion: Rain and higher winds will return Wednesday as a cold front pushes through the state. The front will push through the mountains by mid-afternoon and into the Piedmont toward evening. Winds will be gusty out of the south/southwest ahead of the front and will turn out of the west behind the front. Smoke from active and smoldering wildfires within the state will be carried northward during most of the day, and then will turn eastward after the front passes. Area immediately downwind of any active and smoldering fires may experience Code Yellow air quality. Outside any smoke, air quality will hover in the Code Green range. Outlook: High pressure will build into the Southeast U.S. Thursday and Friday. It will be dry and sunny with a west/northwest breeze on Thursday becoming lighter on Friday. Smoke from wildfires in Tennessee may be carried eastward into the Asheville area, and there may still be some smoke from wildfires within the state if they are still burning/smoldering. Code Yellow air quality will be possible in the mountains both days, while air quality in the rest of the state will remain in the Code Green range. WEATHER INFORMATION A wind Advisory is effective through 11/30/2016, 7:00 P.M. for high elevations of the North Carolina Mountains and the following areas: Avery, Buncombe, Graham, Haywood, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey. Strong southerly winds will develop tonight and continue into Wednesday. The translation of the next round of strong winds should generally be from west to east Tuesday night into Wednesday. Winds are expected to increase to 25 to 35 mph, with a few gusts to 55 mph. This will be most pronounced in the western North Carolina Mountains from midnight through Wednesday. Outside of the highest terrain, wind gusts will range from 30 to 40 mph. Because of the very robust winds aloft, showers and possible thunderstorms could mix down to the surface and cause localized, very strong wind gusts. Some thunderstorms, particularly on Wednesday, could be severe with damaging winds possible. Overall the return of the stronger winds may knock down trees; power outages are possible. To read a detailed weather brief visit the National Weather Service Greenville/Spartanburg. http://www.weather.gov/media/gsp/YouTube/brief.pdf HUNTER INFORMATION The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission posts the latest hunting area closures onto their website at http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Where-to-Hunt/Public-Places. Temporary forest closures remain in effect for some areas. Please observe all closures and fire restrictions to ensure your safety and the safety of our firefighters. (Hover your mouse over map and click the CTRL key to enlarge.) TODAY'S UPDATES ON ACTIVE FIRES OR FIRE COMPLEXES Only those fires being actively managed and staffed are included in the Evening Summary. HORTON FIRE (NCFS - BLOWING ROCK, WATAUGA COUNTY) The fire area has received over 3/4" of rain with more on the way. The rain brings much needed moisture to the area. Fire managers plan to reassess the containment percentage Wednesday. Dirt roads around the fire area may be unusually slick due to the rain. Please use extra caution when navigating these roads. Fire managers are beginning to assess a rehabilitation plan. To the extent possible, they want to return the landscape that has been modified during firefighting operations to its original state. Acreage: 1,450 - Containment: 85% - Personnel: 50 - Start Date: November 21 http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/ CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY). Firefighters worked community projects due to the rain. They will resume rehabilitation work once the ground dries enough to successfully complete the work. Firefighters not assigned to rehabilitation activities were sent to other fires or back to their home units. Acreage: 3,163 - Containment: 91% - Personnel: 411 - Start Date: November 20 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/# BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) Last night's infrared flight did not detect any areas of lingering heat on this fire. Firefighters monitored control lines and checked for fire-weakened trees that have compromised root systems. Acreage: 9,036- Containment: 85% - Personnel: 260 - Start Date: October 25 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/ MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Suppression repairs have been completed. Fire crews continue to monitor the Joyce Kilmer Wilderness area for hot spots. Fire growth is not expected within the perimeter due to the rains received. Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 78% - Personnel: 105 - Start Date: November 4 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/ NANTAHALA BRANCH FIRES (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team is assigned management of the Nantahala Branch Fires. Under this branch, the fires being patrolled/monitored are: Tellico Fire, Old Roughy Fire, Buck Creek Fire, Falls Fire, Grape Cove Fire, Moses Creek Fire, Jones Gap Fire, Jarrett Knob Fire, Wine Spring Fire, Mulberry Fire, Moss Knob Fire, May Branch Fire, Boardtree Fire, Charley Creek Fire, Nick Fire, Ridge Gap Fire, Ferebee Fire, Cliffside Fire, Whitewater Fire, Howard Gap Fire, Knob Fire, Muskrat Fire, Bullpen Fire, Jones Creek Fire, Cathey Gap Fire, Dick's Creek Fire. CAMP BRANCH FIRE (USFS - OTTO, MACON COUNTY)The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Forest Road 69 (Wayah Bald Tower Road) remains closed due to the proximity of the Camp Branch Fire and associated firefighting activity. Drivers should use caution; smoke may limit visibility, and debris may roll onto the roadway. Crews pulled hose off the fireline and backhauled excess supplies and equipment. They also used the break in the weather to clean trucks and equipment and sharpen tools. They are prepared to respond to any new starts. Acreage: 3,210 - Containment: 55% - Personnel: 293 - Start Date: November 23 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5110/# PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS-LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES) The operations has switched to suppression repair and demobilization. Available resources have been assigned to other fires. The incident management team transfers management to the N.C. Forest Service tomorrow 11/30/16 at 7:00 A.M. Last update provided on this fire. The donations received have been greatly appreciated; no additional supplies are needed. If you would like to donate monetarily, we ask that you please donate to a local fire department or the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation. The foundation will act as a pass through for needs directly associated with the fire. Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation PO Box 783 Lake Lure, NC 28746 http://www.hngfoundation.org/ Lake Lure would like to invite those affected by the fire to an event to be held Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 p.m. in Morse Park Meadow located in Lake Lure. Those planning to attend are asked to wear a red or yellow shirt and plan to be there for 30-45 minutes to make a short video showing thanks. Acreage: 7,145 - Containment: 100% - Personnel: 177 - Start Date: November 5 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5092/ ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) The following roads remain closed: Coleman River Road, Patterson Gap Road and Abe Gap Road. Due to the rains, the fire perimeter movement isn't expected to move, lighter fuels were extinguished. However, fire danger remains high. Larger fuels, like down logs, standing dead trees and stumps or root systems, continue to hold heat and, as the weather dries, can re-ignite leaves. Resources continued to patrol and hold firelines. Structure groups will continue to maintain lines around homes and structures. Acreage: 24,725- Containment: 50% - Personnel: 668 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY) UNCHANGED Firefighters worked on hot spots and continued mop up and holding the lines in all divisions as well as structure protection. The Florida Forest Service, Type 3 team will assume management of the fire Wednesday, and the incident command post will relocate to the South Mountain Visitor Center. At 7:00 P.M. tonight, there will no longer be a Chestnut Knob Fire information phone line. See our Chestnut Knob Fire Facebook page for the latest information. Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 90% - Personnel: 139 - Start Date: November 6 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES) Crews were not dispatched to the lines this morning out of concern for safety; wet roads, slick terrain and soaked ground hinder line improvement and backburning. Small teams were projected to scout the perimeter and make fireline assessments if the rain abated. All air operations were suspended for the day. Acreage: 10,560 - Containment: 62% - Personnel: 316 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5108/ Media Advisory: For all information about the Pinnacle Mountain Fire and the ongoing response in South Carolina, all media should contact the Pinnacle Mountain Joint Information Center at (864) 898-2437 or pmfjic@gmail.com. OTHER PERTINENT LINKS Nantahala National Forest Closures http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?aid=37740 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (relative to the ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE) http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/home/?cid=fseprd523949 Appalachian Trail (A.T.) http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/trail-updates The latest information is available on the Joint Information Center blog athttp://ncjic.blogspot.com/ for the following topics:   Despite the amount of moisture that we will see with the current incoming weather patterns, FIRE DANGER REMAINS HIGH. The current drought conditions are long term, and a series of wet weather storms are needed to alleviate the extremely dry conditions. Several areas are still under burn bans. (Click here for Burn Ban information.) With the heavy layers of dry leaves, drought conditions and anticipated warm weather after these storms, several areas will remain prone to fire activity and people are asked to remain cautious and aware of the fire danger and bans in their areas. While the much-needed moisture will assist firefighting efforts, it will not be enough to completely extinguish all the fires burning in western North Carolina. In the days, and possibly weeks ahead, the local area will still see smokes within the fire containment lines. Agencies will continue to monitor these areas and respond if and as needed. AIR QUALITY INFORMATION Forecast Valid: Tuesday - November 29, 2016 Air Quality Conditions: Hourly values are decreasing at monitors across western North Carolina this afternoon, but overall values in the Code Orange range with localized Code Red conditions will remain possible downwind of ongoing fires today. Code Green to Code Yellow conditions were otherwise observed over the rest of the state this afternoon. For a display of the most recent air quality conditions throughout the remainder of this afternoon, please visit the US EPA's AIRNOW website (http://www.airnow.gov). General Forecast Discussion: Cloudy skies with breezy conditions are expected tonight into tomorrow in advance of an incoming frontal boundary. Much-needed rainfall will arrive to the mountains and foothills tomorrow in the form of scattered showers and thunderstorms, with scattered showers possible over the Piedmont later in the day. Areas of rain in the mountains and foothills should significantly curtail smoke-related air quality concerns across parts of western North Carolina. Code Yellow conditions may be possible over Macon, McDowell Counties and southern portions of the Asheville forecast region tomorrow, with Code Green conditions expected elsewhere. Outlook: Cloudy and unsettled weather is expected through the middle of the week, with another round of showers and thunderstorms possible statewide Wednesday and Wednesday night. Dry and cool conditions will build in for Thursday. Code Green and localized Code Yellow conditions are currently expected statewide through Thursday. WEATHER INFORMATION A cold front will reach our region Tuesday and stall. A series of low pressure systems will ride up and along the cold front through Thursday, before shifting east. Multiple rounds of rain, some heavy at times, can be expected. The heaviest rain should focus from parts of the western North Carolina foothills and mountains, northeast Georgia and the upstate mountains of South Carolina. Rainfall in these areas should average between 2 and 4 inches, with isolated 5 inch amounts in the most favored upslope areas. Elsewhere 1-2 inches of rain should be the rule. Additionally, the possibility of thunderstorms may work into the picture from Tuesday into Wednesday night, potentially enhancing rainfall rates. To read the detailed weather brief, visit the National Weather Service: Greenville/Spartenburg link at http://www.weather.gov/media/gsp/YouTube/brief.pdf TODAY'S UPDATES ON ACTIVE FIRES OR FIRE COMPLEXES Only those fires being actively managed and staffed are included in the Evening Summary. HORTON FIRE (NCFS - BLOWING ROCK, WATAUGA COUNTY) Firefighters patrolled the fire area looking for heat. Local fire personnel will patrol the fire perimeter through the night with a thermal imager to identify any hot spots. Fire managers will wait until the forecasted rains arrive to reassess the containment percentage. The Incident Command Post will relocate Tuesday to the Blowing Rock Fire Department, and the Fire information line 828-201-2885 will be active through 5:00 P.M. Friday, December 2. Acreage: 1,450 - Containment: 65% - Personnel: 105 - Start Date: November 21 http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/ CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY). Firefighters worked on the southwest and western areas of the fire to improve or finish constructing indirect fireline and began erosion prevention efforts. Along the northwestern portion of the fire, including near Locust Cove, crews patrolled and mopped up. A handcrew built direct fireline at the head of the fire putting in fireline from the Mackey trail east towards the Clear Creek headwaters. Acreage: 3,163 - Containment: 83% - Personnel: 495 - Start Date: November 20 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/# BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) Firefighters are repairing firelines, helispots and roads damaged by fire-suppression activities. Suppression repair work is approximately 40% complete. Leaves continue to drop at the lower elevations, increasing the likelihood of interior reburns. For current road closures in Macon County CLICK HERE. Acreage: 9,036- Containment: 85% - Personnel: 185 - Start Date: October 25 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/ MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Approximately 75% of suppression repairs have been completed. Today, crews repaired areas along Forest Road 455 southwest to Naked Ground, and hazard trees along FR 62 were removed. Six areas of isolated interior heat were detected during a recent infrared flight over the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area. The hot spots do not pose a threat to containment due to their location near natural barriers. As reconnaissance and infrared flights report that heat is dissipating, the containment percentage will gradually increase. Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 78% - Personnel: 105 - Start Date: November 4 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/ NANTAHALA BRANCH FIRES (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team is assigned management of the Nantahala Branch Fires. Under this branch, the fires being patrolled/monitored are: Tellico Fire, Old Roughy Fire, Buck Creek Fire, Falls Fire, Grape Cove Fire, Moses Creek Fire, Jones Gap Fire, Jarrett Knob Fire, Wine Spring Fire, Mulberry Fire, Moss Knob Fire, May Branch Fire, Boardtree Fire, Charley Creek Fire, Nick Fire, Ridge Gap Fire, Ferebee Fire, Cliffside Fire, Whitewater Fire, Howard Gap Fire, Knob Fire, Muskrat Fire, Bullpen Fire, Jones Creek Fire, Cathey Gap Fire, Dick's Creek Fire. CAMP BRANCH FIRE (USFS - OTTO, MACON COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Firefighters held the east side of the fire along Locust Tree Branch Road. On the west side, they held the line from FR 69, across Rocky Bald Ridge to FR 379B, and north to Licklog Gap. They will also continue protecting structures in Bear Cove and on FR 69. Tonight, firefighters will work until midnight, and that will conclude the night shift. It will be reinstated if changing conditions warrant. Acreage: 2,146 - Containment: 35% - Personnel: 262 - Start Date: November 23 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5110/# PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS-LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES) Fire crews worked to extinguish remaining hot spots and removed excess firefighting equipment from the firelines. Many of the crews are starting to be released to go back home as the fire situation has improved. Acreage: 7,145 - Containment: 90% - Personnel: 192 - Start Date: November 5 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5092/ ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) Fire crews patrolled and mopped up on the southern and western fire perimeter. Containment lines were strengthened with burnout operations throughout today and will continue until relative humidity recovers tonight. Structure protection will remain in place. CLICK HERE to see the latest road closures, pre-evacuation and evacuation updates. Acreage: 24,725- Containment: 45% - Personnel: 651 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# Containment lines were strengthened with burnout operations throughout today and will continue until relative humidity recovers tonight. Structure protection will remain in place. CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY) Firefighters worked on hot spots and continued mop up and holding the lines in all divisions as well as structure protection. The Florida Forest Service, Type 3 team will assume management of the fire Wednesday, and the incident command post will relocate to the South Mountain Visitor Center. At 7:00 P.M. tonight, there will no longer be a Chestnut Knob Fire information phone line. See our Chestnut Knob Fire Facebookpage for the latest information. Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 80% - Personnel: 138 - Start Date: November 6 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES) Firefighters strengthened firebreaks and finished burnout operations just north of the Table Rock Reservoir toward Buzzard Mountain Road. Crews also patrolled firelines and cooled hot spots throughout the fire perimeter. Two options have been set up to receive donations for the Firefighting Efforts in Pickens County:
Acreage: 10,097 - Containment: 50% - Personnel: 281 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5108/ Media Advisory: For all information about the Pinnacle Mountain Fire and the ongoing response in South Carolina, all media should contact the Pinnacle Mountain Joint Information Center at (864) 898-2437 or pmfjic@gmail.com. OTHER PERTINENT LINKS Nantahala National Forest Closures http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?aid=37740 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (relative to the ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE) http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/home/?cid=fseprd523949 Appalachian Trail (A.T.) http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/trail-updates The latest information is available on the Joint Information Center blog athttp://ncjic.blogspot.com/ for the following topics:   The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the November 26th, 2016 arrest of 32 year old Tiffany Leann Palmer, of Murphy North Carolina in connection with two reported breaking and entering cases in the Marble/Murphy North Carolina communities. On November 17th, 2016 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a resident in the Marble Community of Cherokee County that out buildings at her residence had been broken into and items were taken which included tools. Detective Chapman followed up on the case and developed Tiffany Palmer as a suspect in the case. Detective Chapman presented the case to the North Carolina Magistrate who issued a warrant for the breaking and entering and larceny. On November 25th, 2016 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a resident just outside the Murphy City limits in which they reported their residence being broken into and several items had been taken which included boots from the female resident. On November 26th, 2016 Tiffany Palmer was arrested on the outstanding warrant for the November 17th, 2016 breaking and entering and was released upon a $2,500 unsecure bond. Later that afternoon, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received information that Tiffany Palmer was a suspect in the breaking and entering reported on November 25th, 2016. Deputy JJ Wooten located Tiffany Palmer who was found in possession of a portion of the stolen items which included the boots that had been reported stolen. As the investigation progressed, Deputy Wooten and Sgt. Cody Williams were able to retrieve a large portion of the personal items that had been reported stolen. Tiffany Palmer was again arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where the Magistrate set a $10,000 secure bond. Palmer is currently being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center until she posts bond or appears for a December 6th, 2016 District Court date. Sheriff Palmer remarked, “This is a great team effort by Detective Chapman and some of our younger road officers, Sgt. Cody Williams and Deputy JJ Wooten. This also demonstrates the value of the information provided to us by our community in helping quickly solve crimes. As always we encourage our community to help us fight crime.” Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.   The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Murphy, NC — Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the November 27th, 2016 arrest of 35-year-old Charles Demiras Flowers from Murphy, NC in connection with a Breaking and Entering of a residence and concealing and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. On November 27th, 2016, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a breaking and entering of a residence just outside the town limits of Murphy. The reporting party stated that Flowers had been at the residence earlier and had left an item of clothing which was missing along with other items including firearms. The responding officer, Deputy Jake Bryson, was called later that evening with information as to the location of Flowers and possibly the stolen items. The location was at a residence inside the Town of Murphy. Deputy Bryson accompanied by Sgt. Cody Williams and Murphy Police Department Officer Jason Murphy found Flowers at the location. During a pat down of Flowers, one of the stolen firearms was found concealed in the pants pocket of Flowers. A consent search of the residence produced the remaining firearms and other items that had been reported missing. Flowers was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was charged with LARCENY OF A FIREARM, POSSESS STOLEN FIREARM, POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY FELON, CARRYING CONCEALED GUN, BREAKING AND OR ENTERING, BREAK OR ENTER A MOTOR VEHICLE. The North Carolina Magistrate set a $10,000 secure bond. Flowers is currently being held awaiting a December 6th, 2016 court date. Sheriff Palmer remarked, “This is another example of excellent teamwork by the community, the deputies of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the community we serve. As you can see, by quickly working together and following up on the information we were able to solve this case quickly!” Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837- 1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.  Joint Information Center Western NC Wildfires - Final Morning Summary - Monday November 2811/28/2016
MORNING SUMMARY ON FIRES AND FIRE COMPLEXES NOTE: The Morning Summary is an overview of fires. Only those fires being actively managed and staffed are included. An Evening Summary will be available after 5:00 P.M. with significantly more information related to specific fires or fire complexes. This is the final morning summary to be sent. Individual morning updates on each fire will be posted as they are available onto the JIC blog at ncjic.blogspot.com HORTON FIRE (NCFS - BLOWING ROCK, WATAUGA COUNTY) Fire operations and objectives remain unchanged. The Incident Command Post will relocate Tuesday to the Blowing Rock Fire Department. Acreage: 1,450 - Containment: 65% - Personnel: 115 - Start Date: November 21 http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/ CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY). Firefighters are working on the southwest and western areas of the fire to improve or finish constructing indirect fireline utilizing dozers and handcrews as well as begin erosion prevention efforts. Along the northwestern portion of the fire, including near Locust Cove, crews will patrol and mop up as needed. A handcrew is hiking up the Mackey trail and continuing to build a direct fireline at the head of the fire putting in fireline from the trail east towards the Clear Creek headwaters. Aviation resources will assist firefighters as visibility allows in holding the firelines and slowing fire spread with bucket drops. Acreage: 3,163 - Containment: 83% - Personnel: 495 - Start Date: November 20 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/# BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) Firefighters will maintain and patrol control lines; improve, secure and mop up any hot spots near firelines; and coordinate structure protection within divisions. Crews will also respond to initial attack fires and continue suppression repair where needed. For current road closures in Macon County CLICK HERE Acreage: 9,036- Containment: 85% - Personnel: 185 - Start Date: October 25 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/ MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Firefighters will continue to monitor any hot spots and continue suppression repair. Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 78% - Personnel: 105 - Start Date: November 4 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/ NANTAHALA BRANCH FIRES (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team is assigned management of the Nantahala Branch Fires. Under this branch, the fires being patrolled/monitored are: Tellico Fire, Old Roughy Fire, Buck Creek Fire, Falls Fire, Grape Cove Fire, Moses Creek Fire, Jones Gap Fire, Jarrett Knob Fire, Wine Spring Fire, Mulberry Fire, Moss Knob Fire, May Branch Fire, Boardtree Fire, Charley Creek Fire, Nick Fire, Ridge Gap Fire, Ferebee Fire, Cliffside Fire, Whitewater Fire, Howard Gap Fire, Knob Fire, Muskrat Fire, Bullpen Fire, Jones Creek Fire, Cathey Gap Fire, Dick's Creek Fire. CAMP BRANCH FIRE (USFS - OTTO, MACON COUNTY)The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Fire crews will continue to construct primary containment lines and improve as needed to ensure that no lines are compromised. They will implement contingency lines to provide structure and infrastructure protection along the Wayah Road. Acreage: 2,146 - Containment: 35% - Personnel: 262 - Start Date: November 23 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5110/# PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS-LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES) Fire crews are extinguishing remaining hot spots and removing excess firefighting equipment from the firelines. Acreage: 7,145 - Containment: 90% - Personnel: 192 - Start Date: November 5 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5092/ ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) Fire personnel will strengthen the depth of containment lines with burnout operations as weather permits. Six handcrews and six engines will be fully engaged in mop up and patrol. Crews continue fire suppression repair objectives. All evacuations are still in place; to see the latest road closures, pre-evacuation and evacuation updates, CLICK HERE. Acreage: 24,725- Containment: 45% - Personnel: 651 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY) Firefighters are working on hot spots. The estimated acreage on the interior reburn has increased to 60 acres; smoke may be visible. Crews will continue mop up and holding the lines in all divisions as well as structure protection. Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 80% - Personnel: 138 - Start Date: November 6 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES) Firefighters are securing the northeast side of the fire by strengthening firebreaks and conducting a burnout operation just north of the Table Rock Reservoir toward Buzzard Mountain Road. If successful, this action will stop the spread of the fire to the east. Crews will also patrol firelines and cool hot spots throughout the fire perimeter. Acreage: 10,097 - Containment: 50% - Personnel: 281 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5108/ Media Advisory: For all information about the Pinnacle Mountain Fire and the ongoing response in South Carolina, all media should contact the Pinnacle Mountain Joint Information Center at (864) 898-2437 or pmfjic@gmail.com.   There are twenty-four large wildfires currently burning throughout the southern United States totaling more than 130,000 acres. The largest fires are the Rough Ridge Fire in Georgia (27,870 acres), the Rock Mountain Fire in Georgia and North Carolina (20,647 acres), and the Tellico Fire in North Carolina (13,874). Sixteen incident management teams (nine type-1 and type-2 teams; seven type-3 teams) and 65 crews from across the country have deployed across the southern region to assist impacted communities. More than 80 aviation assets are committed to aid ground crews in the region with 30 of those assigned just to North Carolina. More than 6,000 people (local, state and federal) have been assigned to all the fires in the Southern Area. This effort is complemented by the support of hundreds of volunteer firefighters and other emergency personnel. More than 2,200 of those assigned are on fires or other support assignments in North Carolina. AIR QUALITY INFORMATION Smoke appears to be entering several areas on Sunday afternoon. Because of this, the Air Quality forecast has been downgraded to Code Orange for the Asheville area. Macon County has been downgraded to code purple. Asheville is being impacted by the Pinnacle and Rock Mountain Fires. The Burnsville and Spruce Pine areas are being impacted by the Clear Creek Fire. And Macon County, and especially Franklin, are being impacted from smoke from the Rock Mountain Fire. General Forecast Discussion: For tonight, high pressure will shift toward eastward toward the coast, and winds will increase out of the south to southeast. Smoke from the Rock Mountain, Camp Creek, and Pinnacle Fires is expected to continue drifting into the Asheville area, and Code Orange air quality is expected. Macon County, which has the most active fires, will likely have Code Red to Code Purple air quality through tonight. Smoke from the Clear Creek Fire will drift northward over parts of McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey Counties, where Code Orange air quality is also possible. For tomorrow, high pressure will be situated off the coast while a cold front and strong upper disturbance push into the Southeast US. Southerly winds will increase throughout the day and will help bring in deep moisture into the mountains. Some showers may impact the mountains late, with the heavier rain holding off until tomorrow night and Tuesday. Smoke from the Rock Mountain and Camp Creek Fires in Macon County will affect Macon County and much of the Asheville area. Smoke from the Pinnacle Fire will impact the Hendersonville area and adjacent communities. Smoke from the Clear Creek Fire in McDowell County will blow northward toward Burnsville and Spruce Pine. Increased winds will help mix out the smoke, but Code Orange air quality is possible in all of these areas. Code Red or Purple air quality is possible in Macon County where fire activity is greatest. Outlook: A cold front will approach the mountains during Monday night and Tuesday. Southerly winds will transport deep moisture into the mountains, and the mountains and neighboring foothills should see some widespread rains. This wetting rain should help extinguish any active wild fires and little to no impacts from smoke are expected. The deep south flow will bring in clean air from off the Atlantic and particle pollution will hover mostly in the Code Green range. Particle pollution may be in the Code Yellow range near and downwind of any remaining fires. The cold front will stall over the mountains Tuesday night and Wednesday and rain will become lighter and spottier with the loss of upper forcing. Another cold front with attendant upper forcing will push through Wednesday evening into Thursday morning with another round of widespread rain. Air quality will mostly hold within the Code Green range, though Code Yellow air quality is possible very close to any smoldering fires. WEATHER INFORMATION Weather:Special Weather Statement is effective from 11/27/2016, 9:34 A.M. through 11/29/2016, 7:00 A.M. for the following areas: Increased fire danger through early this evening for today into the early this evening. Another round of critically low relative humidity below 25% can be expected across the North Carolina Mountains and adjacent foothills. Relative humidity values across the mountain ridges will range between 10 to 20 percent. The weather conditions will combine with extremely dry fuels caused by the prolonged drought to produce favorable conditions for the rapid spread and growth of wildfires. Areas Affected: Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Rutherford, Macon, McDowell Mountains, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountain, Southern Jackson To find county-specific information, visit the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center: Watch, Warning, Advisory Display page. You can access the interactive map shown above at http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/wwa/ or with this QR code. DONATIONS With all the outpouring of support from communities, fire departments have been fully stocked. No additional supplies are needed at this time. In lieu of supplies, a fund has been set up through the Western NC Firefighters Association for folks wishing to donate monetarily. This fund will be used to provide grants to any western North Carolina fire department that has unmet needs, resulting from their wildland firefighting efforts. If you would like to support your local firefighters, donations can be sent to the following address: Attention: Western North Carolina Firefighters Fund Skyland Fire and Rescue Department P.O. Box 640 Skyland, North Carolina, 28776 We cannot express our appreciation for the many donations and volunteer hours that have been dedicated to the fire suppression efforts. On behalf of all fire and support personnel, thank you. TODAY'S UPDATES ON ACTIVE FIRES OR FIRE COMPLEXES Only those fires being actively managed and staffed are included in the Evening Summary. NOTE: Significant burnout operations on Camp Branch and Rock Mountain may have resulted in lots of smoke east of these fires. HORTON FIRE (NCFS - BLOWING ROCK, WATAUGA COUNTY) It has been a calm day and the fire perimeter is looking good. There will be an update posted to the Horton Fire blog at 7:00 P.M. Acreage: 1,450 - Containment: 65% - Personnel: 115 - Start Date: November 21 http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/ CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY) Firefighters completed mop up in the Locust Cove area. Along the central portion of the southern border, two handcrews were able to put in direct handline starting near the head of the fire in the area of Clear Creek to hold the fire in place. This effort was supported by the use of a helicopter. Hwy NC 80 and Clear Creek Roads will open night at 8:00 P.M. to the public. Acreage: 3,155 - Containment: 40% - Personnel: 489 - Start Date: November 20 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/# BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) Today, heavy-equipment suppression repair efforts are continued for all of Nelson Ridge, the interior dozer line near High Meadows, and a stretch of fireline running south from High Meadows to Cold Branch Drive. All handline repair has been completed on the west, northwest, and northeast sides of the fire. Firefighters continued mopping up and patrolling containment lines, focusing on firelines running from Tate Gap east to Thunderstruck Brook, southeast to Buck Creek, and then west to Perry Gap. They worked to complete as much fire-suppression repairs as possible prior to the forecasted rains. For current road closures in Macon County CLICK HERE Acreage: 9,036- Containment: 85% - Personnel: 185 - Start Date: October 25 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/ MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Yesterday's infrared flight identified six areas of heat within the perimeter. Firefighters continued to patrol, monitor and secure the fire's perimeter. Crews are striving to finish the remaining 25 percent of suppression repairs prior to expected rains late tomorrowand Tuesday. Where the fire burned within the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area, scooper planes dropped water on the fire's edge, creating a wet line. Along with natural barriers, the wet line has been a substitute for hand- or dozer-constructed fireline. Because firefighters are unable to patrol the wet line on foot, fire managers are being conservative when considering this area contained even though the fire is not advancing and growing. As aerial observers monitor the wet line daily and confirm that the line is holding, containment will gradually increase. Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 78% - Personnel: 69 - Start Date: November 4 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/ NANTAHALA BRANCH FIRES (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team is assigned management of the Nantahala Branch Fires. Under this branch, the fires being patrolled/monitored are: Tellico Fire, Old Roughy Fire, Buck Creek Fire, Falls Fire, Grape Cove Fire, Moses Creek Fire, Jones Gap Fire, Jarrett Knob Fire, Wine Spring Fire, Mulberry Fire, Moss Knob Fire, May Branch Fire, Boardtree Fire, Charley Creek Fire, Nick Fire, Ridge Gap Fire, Ferebee Fire, Cliffside Fire, Whitewater Fire, Howard Gap Fire, Knob Fire, Muskrat Fire, Bullpen Fire, Jones Creek Fire, Cathey Gap Fire, Dick's Creek Fire. CAMP BRANCH FIRE (USFS - OTTO, MACON COUNTY)The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Today, crews monitored yesterday's firing operation on the west side along FR 68 and in Crawford Cove. They initiated a new firing operation north of Wayah Bald along the Appalachian Trail east of Little Laurel Creek to stop the westward, upslope advance of the spot fire. Crews strengthened and secured firelines on the east side along Locust Tree Branch Road and monitored yesterday's firing operation in the Trimont Ridge area on the northeast side of the fire. Acreage: 1,483 - Containment: 35% - Personnel: 113 Start Date: November 23 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5110/# PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS-LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES) Resource demobilizations have started taking place. The hard work done by the fire crews has allowed for the fire management to be turned over to the local North Carolina Forest Service district. Agency transfer is expected sometime tomorrow 11/28/16. Acreage: 7,171 - Containment: 85% - Personnel: 209 - Start Date: November 5 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5092/ ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) Building on yesterday's success, resources continued to use strategic burnout operations to secure fireline from Standing Indian Campground south and east towards Indian Ridge, and east of the Appalachian Trail towards Lonely Gap and Rockhouse Knob. A helicopter equipped with a device that dispenses spheres of a chemical oxidizing agent injected with glycol, initiated burnout in unburnt pockets of forested areas. Left unburnt, this could pose a threat to the containment lines in the area surrounding Betty's Creek, Little Ridgepole Mountain and Brushy Ridge. All evacuations are still in place; to see the latest road closures, pre-evacuation and evacuation updates, CLICK HERE. Acreage: 20,647 - Containment: 40% - Personnel: 511 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY) Firefighters are monitoring two open reburns, approximately 21 acres, within the fire interior. Smoke may be visible, but there is no threat of fire spread. Suppression repairs were started on some of the interior lines. Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 80% - Personnel: 144 - Start Date: November 6 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES) Burnout operations were completed southward toward the Table Rock Reservoir.Table Rock State Park and the trail system remain closed; it is expected to be open Monday 11/28/16 at noon. For more information, CLICK HERE. Media Advisory: For all information about the Pinnacle Mountain Fire and the ongoing response in South Carolina, all media should contact the Pinnacle Mountain Joint Information Center at (864) 898-2437 or pmfjic@gmail.com. Acreage: 9,566- Containment: 47% - Personnel: 255 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5108/ FOREST AND TRAIL CLOSURES Nantahala National Forest Closures http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (relative to the ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE) http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/home/?cid=fseprd523949 Appalachian Trail (A.T.) http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/trail-updates  MORNING SUMMARY ON FIRES AND FIRE COMPLEXES NOTE: The Morning Summary is an overview of fires. Only those fires being actively managed and staffed are included. An Evening Summary will be available after 5:00 P.M. with significantly more information related to specific fires or fire complexes. HWY 151 FIRE (USFS - CANDLER, BUNCOMBE COUNTY) Fire containment lines have been completed. Crews are monitoring and patrolling for hotspots, snags and restarts within the fire perimeter. Last update unless new information is received. Acreage: 245- Containment: 76% - Personnel: 18- Start Date: November 24 HORTON FIRE (NCFS - BLOWING ROCK, WATAUGA COUNTY) Incident objectives include mitigating the threat of wind-driven fire spread. The potential for fire spread is high given the extremely dry conditions. Once fire managers can ensure the established fire lines will hold, they will reassess the 65% containment level. The public is asked to avoid this area and Sampson Road south of the Blue Ridge Parkway to provide for the safety of firefighters and local residents. Acreage: 1,450 - Containment: 65% - Personnel: 115 - Start Date: November 21 http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/ CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY) Firefighters are working on the southwest and western areas to improve or finish constructing indirect fireline. In the northwestern portion, including Locust Cove area, fire crews are patrolling and mopping up as needed. Along the central portion of the southern border, a handcrew is exploring putting a direct attack handline starting near the head of Clear Creek to hold the fire in place. Hwy NC 80 remains closed to non-residents from Toms Creek Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Yancey County line. Clear Creek Road is still closed; only residents living in the area have access. Acreage: 3,155 - Containment: 40% - Personnel: 489 - Start Date: November 20 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/# BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) Firefighters are maintaining and patrolling control lines; improving, securing and mopping up firelines; and coordinating structure protection within divisions as needed. Suppression repair operations will continue. For current road closures in Macon County CLICK HERE Acreage: 9,036- Containment: 85% - Personnel: 185 - Start Date: October 25 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/ MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Firefighters are monitoring hot spots and continuing suppression repair. Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 78% - Personnel: 69 - Start Date: November 4 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/ NANTAHALA BRANCH FIRES (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team is assigned management of the Nantahala Branch Fires. Under this branch, the fires being patrolled/monitored are: Tellico Fire, Old Roughy Fire, Buck Creek Fire, Falls Fire, Grape Cove Fire, Moses Creek Fire, Jones Gap Fire, Jarrett Knob Fire, Wine Spring Fire, Mulberry Fire, Moss Knob Fire, May Branch Fire, Boardtree Fire, Charley Creek Fire, Nick Fire, Ridge Gap Fire, Ferebee Fire, Cliffside Fire, Whitewater Fire, Howard Gap Fire, Knob Fire, Muskrat Fire, Bullpen Fire, Jones Creek Fire, Cathey Gap Fire, Dick's Creek Fire. CAMP BRANCH FIRE (USFS - OTTO, MACON COUNTY)The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Fire crews continue to construct and improve primary containment lines; maintain established lines to ensure that they are not compromised by leaf fall; and continue to mop up hot spots. Structure and infrastructure protection is ongoing. Acreage: 1,483 - Containment: 35% - Personnel: 113 Start Date: November 23 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5110/# PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS-LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES) Fire crews are working to ensure that fire lines will not contribute to erosion or water quality issues. Firefighters are asking everyone to stay on the paved roads, out of the burned area and to please move out of the way for emergency traffic. Acreage: 7,171 - Containment: 85% - Personnel: 209 - Start Date: November 5 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5092/ ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) Structure protection groups remain in place throughout Betty's Creek and Patterson Gap areas providing point protection and reinforcing existing hand and dozer line. Firing operations are likely again today if conditions allow. The southern and western edges of the fire, including Tallulah River Road remain in patrol status. Crews are beginning work on fireline repair to reduce erosion potential. All evacuations are still in place; to see the latest road closures, pre-evacuation and evacuation updates, CLICK HERE. Acreage: 20,647 - Containment: 40% - Personnel: 511 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY) Resources are continuing to be released to help with other wildfires within the region. Crews are mopping up and holding the fireline and improving firelines in all divisions; structure protection is ongoing. Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 80% - Personnel: 144 - Start Date: November 6 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES) There will be a public meeting today at the Greenville Command Post located at 521 Table Rock Road in Cleveland, South Carolina. Burnout operation continue along the Slickum Falls Road, proceeding southward toward the Table Rock Reservoir. Firefighters will continue actions to prevent the fire from spreading further west along the fireline that runs from the White Oak Mountain area south to the Saluda River. Crews will work on hot spots near the fire's edge although smoke may be visible until the fire is completely extinguished. Closures: Table Rock State Park and the trail system remain closed. For more information, CLICK HERE. Media Advisory: For all information about the Pinnacle Mountain Fire and the ongoing response in South Carolina, all media should contact the Pinnacle Mountain Joint Information Center at (864) 898-2437 or pmfjic@gmail.com. Acreage: 9,566- Containment: 47% - Personnel: 255 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5108/   The number one cause of wildfires in the South is typically unintentional, human-caused fires. These include escaped campfires, disposal of wood ashes and debris burning. In 2016, however, we have seen a pattern of suspicious fires throughout the Appalachians. This is more challenging for firefighters because the increased fire frequency stretches firefighting resources. These suspicious and unwanted human-caused wildfires, destroy homes and natural resources and put the lives of our firefighters at risk. Report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Always assume a fire has gone unreported. Please be vigilant when enjoying our beautiful forests, and keep your eyes and ears open for any wildfire activity. AIR QUALITY INFORMATION Code Orange air quality is still possible in parts of the mountains and foothills. Date: 11/26/16 - 15:00 ET Forecast Valid: Sunday, 11/27/16 Today's Air Quality Conditions: As of early afternoon, the only monitor within the Code Orange range was in Marion/McDowell County, which is being impacted by smoke from the Clear Creek Fire. Areas of Code Orange air quality are possible near active and smoldering wildfires, especially in Macon County and areas to the west and southwest of Asheville. Code Orange air quality may also be occurring near the Horton Fire in Watauga County. Across the rest of the state particle pollution is mainly in the Code Yellow range. Air Quality Conditions: 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, http://www.airnow.gov. General Forecast Discussion: High pressure will build over the area. Skies will be clear and winds will start out light northerly/northwesterly and then will become light and variable after midnight. Areas near active wildfires, and very near smoldering fires, may experience Code Orange to Code Red smoke concentrations. Macon and McDowell Counties are likely to experience the greatest smoke. Southern Henderson and southern Transylvania Counties may be impacted by smoke from the Pinnacle Fire along the NC/SC border. High pressure will transition eastward over the area, and winds will pick up out of the southwest during Sunday afternoon. Smoke will pool/spread near wildfires early and will tend to drift north/northeast during the afternoon. The greatest impacts will be in the areas mentioned above. Impacts further downwind are more uncertain, and will depend on future smoke production. Since the downwind impacts are uncertain at this time, the greater Asheville area, as well as Burke, Mitchell, Caldwell and Yancey Counties are held at Code Yellow, but may be upgraded to Code Orange tomorrow if conditions warrant. Outside the fires, particle pollution will trend upward into the upper Code Green range. Outlook: High pressure will shift offshore on Monday and a warm southwest flow will develop. Particle pollution will generally trend upward into the upper Code Green to lower Code Yellow range away from the smoke. Any leftover smoke will be transported north to northeast, and patchy smoke may lead to Code Orange air quality near and downwind/northeast of active wildfires. A frontal system with wetting rain will arrive on Monday night and Tuesday tohopefully extinguish the fires and put an end to our bouts of smoke. Dry high pressure will build into the region through Sunday. Deep layer moisture will increase ahead of an approaching cold front on Monday, with some much-needed widespread rainfall expected Tuesday and Wednesday. Cool and dry high pressure will return Thursday through Saturday. WEATHER INFORMATION Weekend Forecast: Gusty northwest winds will continue until late Saturdayafternoon. Recent visible satellite images indicated noticeable smoke plumes from the Muskrat, Rock Mountains, Pinnacle Mountain, and Clear Creek wildfire sites. By Sunday, high pressure will be over the mountains with calm winds can cool temperatures. Monday-Thursday Forecast: Weather models are in agreement that a significant precipitation event will occur late Monday/early Tuesday. Up to 2 inches of rain are forecast for the mountains during this first rain event. More precipitation will move into the area on Wednesday bring an additional 1 and 3 inches over the area, with higher amounts along the southwest facing slopes of the NC/SC/GA mountains. The rain ends early Thursday. Weather: The National Weather Service hosts the Enhanced Data Display, a web-based mapping product that provides real-time observed and forecasted weather data. You can access the interactive map at http://tinyurl.com/jmthjuv. TODAY'S UPDATES ON ACTIVE FIRES OR FIRE COMPLEXES Only those fires being actively managed and staffed are included in the Evening Summary. HWY 151 FIRE (USFS - CANDLER, BUNCOMBE COUNTY) The Blue Ridge Parkway is open; Hwy 151 cannot be accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway due to the gate being closed. Acreage: 245- Containment: 30% - Personnel: 51 - Start Date: November 24 HORTON FIRE (NCFS - BLOWING ROCK, WATAUGA COUNTY) Updates for this fire will be provided in the Morning Summary. Acreage: 1450 - Containment: 65% - Personnel: 125 - Start Date: November 21 http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/ CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY) Updates for this fire will be provided in the Morning Summary. Hwy NC 80 is closed to non-residents from Toms Creek Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Yancey County line. Clear Creek Road is still closed; only residents living in the area have access. Acreage: 2,986 - Containment: 30% - Personnel: 457 - Start Date: November 20 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/# BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Crews began repairing areas damaged by fire-suppression activities and minimizing potential soil erosion. For current road closures in Macon CountyCLICK HERE Acreage: 9,036- Containment: 77% - Personnel: 186 - Start Date: October 25 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/ MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Scooper planes took water from Santeelah Lake and dropped it on the fire's edge to create a so-called wet line in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. Along with natural barriers, the wet line eventually halted the fire's progression. Because firefighters are unable to patrol the wet line on foot, an aerial observer monitors it every day, and a plane with infrared mapping technology is used every night to locate pockets of lingering heat. The most recent flight detected one hotspot well inside the containment line. Fire managers are confident that this isolated heat source does not pose a threat to natural barriers or firelines. Crews are patrolling and monitoring containment lines outside the wilderness. They are nearly finished repairing roads, firelines, staging areas and drop points that were constructed during or impacted by fire-suppression activities. Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 71% - Personnel: 100 - Start Date: November 4 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/ NANTAHALA BRANCH FIRES (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team is assigned management of the Nantahala Branch Fires. Under this branch, the fires being patrolled/monitored are: Tellico Fire, Old Roughy Fire, Buck Creek Fire, Falls Fire, Grape Cove Fire, Moses Creek Fire, Jones Gap Fire, Jarrett Knob Fire, Wine Spring Fire, Mulberry Fire, Moss Knob Fire, May Branch Fire, Boardtree Fire, Charley Creek Fire, Nick Fire, Ridge Gap Fire, Ferebee Fire, Cliffside Fire, Whitewater Fire, Howard Gap Fire, Knob Fire, Muskrat Fire, Bullpen Fire, Jones Creek Fire, Cathey Gap Fire, Dick's Creek Fire.
Today, crews worked on two firing operations: On the west side, they started at Wayah Bald and moved southwest along Forest Road 69 to Wilson Lick, where they connected with a hand-constructed fireline. They will continue slowly and carefully proceeding around private cabins between FR 69 and Wayah Road (State Road 1310). On the east side, from the top of Trimont Ridge, they will continue working down the north and south-facing slopes from Wayah Bald east to Locust Tree Branch Road. On south-facing slopes of Trimont Ridge, the fire is expected to move downslope into the Camp Branch drainage and Locust Tree Gap. On north-facing slopes of Trimont Ridge, which are shaded from the sun and where fire behavior should be minimal, fire managers expect it to back slowly downslope to the Left Prong of Ray Branch Creek. This firing operation likely generate significant amounts of smoke that will be visible from nearby communities. Acreage: 1,363 - Containment: 20% - Personnel: 102 - Start Date: November 23 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5110/# PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS-LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES) Leaf fall created some reburning within the fire perimeter. The visitor's center at Chimney Rock State Park is open. If you are traveling to the area please be aware of fire traffic on highways and near the fire perimeter. The climbing area on Rumbling Bald is closed until further notice. Acreage: 7,171 - Containment: 80% - Personnel: 290 - Start Date: November 5 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5092/ ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) Updates for this fire will be provided in the Morning Summary. Acreage: ~ 19,184- Containment: 40% - Personnel: 563- Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY) No changes to fire operations; Firefighters are still working to mop up and locate hot spots while keeping firelines clean of leaf litter. Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 80% - Personnel: 156 - Start Date: November 6 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES) Fire Managers and National Resource Advisors will provide a fire update 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at the Palmetto Cove RV Park located at 521 Table Rock Road in Cleveland, South Carolina. Closures: Table Rock State Park and the trail system remain closed. For more information, CLICK HERE. Media Advisory: For all information about the Pinnacle Mountain Fire and the ongoing response in South Carolina, all media should contact the Pinnacle Mountain Joint Information Center at (864) 898-2437 or pmfjic@gmail.com. Acreage: 9,147- Containment: 48% - Personnel: 253 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5108/ FOREST AND TRAIL CLOSURES Nantahala National Forest Closures http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (relative to the ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE) http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/home/?cid=fseprd523949 Appalachian Trail (A.T.) http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/trail-updates   Nine incident management teams (type-1 and type-2) and more than 6,000 federal and state personnel from across the country have been deployed to assist impacted communities across the Southeast Region with fire suppression. This effort is complemented by the support of hundreds of state volunteer firefighters and other emergency personnel. In North Carolina alone, federal aviation assets including 7 air attack planes, 8 SEATS (Single Engine Air Tankers), 6 Type 1 (large) helicopters, 5 Type 2 (medium) helicopters and 5 Type 3 (small) helicopters are currently in use. A Fire Prevention Education Team (FPET) has deployed in the state to help raise awareness of wildfire dangers related to the drought. Fire prevention information can be found at http://ncjic.blogspot.com/p/prevention.html. Air quality issues due to drifting smoke continue to plague several urban areas. Multiple new reports also suggest a significant rise in hospital visits due to smoke-related respiratory issues. AIR QUALITY INFORMATION Less smoke compared to recent days. Code Orange air quality still possible in parts of the mountains and foothills. Date: Friday, November 25, 2016 - 15:00 ET Forecast Valid: Saturday, November 26, 2016 Air Quality Conditions: As of early afternoon, the only monitor within the Code Orange range was in Marion/McDowell County, which is being impacted by smoke from the Clear Creek fire. Areas of Code Orange air quality are possible near active and smoldering wildfires, especially in Macon county and areas to the west and southwest of Asheville. Code Orange air quality may also be occurring near the Horton Fire in Watauga County. Across the rest of the state particle pollution is mainly in the Code Yellow range. 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, http://www.airnow.gov. General Forecast Discussion: For tonight and Saturday, an upper level disturbance will swing by the area and will help drive cooler air into the region. It will be mostly sunny with a north to northwest breeze and deep mixing. The increased winds and good mixing will help disperse the smoke, and only a relatively limited area near and downwind (south/southeast) of active wild fires will experience Code Orange air quality. The amount of smoke being generated by the fires is reduced, which will also limit the area coverage of smoke. Code Orange air quality is forecast for McDowell County, which will be downwind of the Clear Creek Fire, and also Macon County where there are a couple of active fires. Code Orange air quality is also possible to any active and smoldering fires in Watauga County and south/southwest of Asheville. Outlook: High pressure will move over the area by Sunday afternoon, and winds will become light and variable. Any smoke will drift southward early then tend to spread out in the area near the fires during the afternoon. High pressure will shift offshore on Monday and a warm southwest flow will develop. Any leftover smoke will be transported north to northeast. A frontal system with wetting rain will arrive on Tuesday to hopefully extinguish the fires and put an end our bouts of smoke. TODAY'S UPDATES ON ACTIVE FIRES OR FIRE COMPLEXES HWY 151 FIRE (USFS - CANDLER, BUNCOMBE COUNTY) The Blue Ridge Parkway is reopened from mile marker 402 to 408. Little change reported on the fire this evening. Acreage: ~200 - Start Date: November 24 HORTON FIRE (NCFS - BLOWING ROCK, WATAUGA COUNTY) Correction: Wind gusts predicted for the Horton Fire area are expected up to 30 mph through the weekend, not up to 70 mph as posted this morning. Little change reported on the fire this evening. The public is asked to avoid the Sampson Road area south of the Blue Ridge Parkway to provide safety for firefighters and local residents. Acreage: 1408 - Containment: 65% - Personnel: 125 - Start Date: November 21 http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/ CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY) The community meeting is at 6:30 P.M. tonight at Grace Community Church, 5182 U.S.70 Marion, NC. Residents living in this area are asked to limit their travel on the roads to allow the firefighters to work safely. Hwy NC 80 is closed to non-residents from Toms Creek Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Yancey County line. Clear Creek Road is still closed; only residents living in the area have access. Firefighters working on the southwest and western areas of the fire continued to construct and improve indirect fireline utilizing dozers and hand crews. Along the northwestern portion of the fire including near Locust Cove, crews continued to improve fireline in preparation for firing operations as needed. Structure protection work will continue in the Clear Creek Road, NC Hwy 80 and Locust Cove areas during night operations tonight. Acreage: 2,623 - Containment: 30% - Personnel: 389 - Start Date: November 20 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/# BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team is assigned management of the Boteler Fire and also manages the following fires: Camp Branch Fire, Tellico Fire, and Maple Springs. The SA Blue Team is also patrolling/monitoring: Old Roughy Fires, Buck Creek Fire, Falls Fire, Grape Cove Fire, Moses Creek Fire, Jones Gap Fire, Jarrett Knob Fire, Wine Spring Fire, Mulberry Fire, Moss Knob Fire, May Branch Fire, Boardtree Fire, Charley Creek Fire, Nick, Ridge Gap, Ferebee, Cliffside Fire, Whitewater Fire, Howard Gap, Knob, Muskrat, Bullpen, Jones Creek, Cathey Gap, Dick's Creek Yesterday's wetting rain provided firefighters with one more day of moderate fire behavior as they continued to mop up and maintain containment lines. Although minimal smoke is present in the fire's interior, the ground is holding significant heat, especially where rain was unable to penetrate the leafy tree canopy. Crews will closely monitor an interior fire in the Arch Ridge area north of the Mountain Meadows community. For current road closures in Macon CountyCLICK HERE Acreage: 9,036- Containment: 77% - Personnel: 171 - Start Date: October 25 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/ CAMP BRANCH FIRE (USFS - OTTO, MACON COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. The tree-felling crew removed numerous hazard trees, particularly along Wayah Road (SR 1310). The structure-protection group worked to secure private residences south of Wayah Bald along Wayah Road and in Bear Cove. Crews constructed approximately a quarter-mile of indirect handline. They also completed approximately five miles of dozer line construction and existing road improvements. Indirect fireline construction is expected to be completed today. On the west side, the fireline extends from Forest Road (FR) 69 north to Rocky Bald Ridge and to FR 379B, eventually ending at Licklog Gap. On the east side, the fireline goes north from Locust Tree Branch Road to Ray Branch and then northwest to Licklog Gap. The structure protection group will continue to monitor private residences north of Wayah Road (SR 1310). Acreage: 1363 - Containment: 20% - Personnel: 90 - Start Date: November 23 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5110/# MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY) The Southern Area Blue Team on the Boteler Fire is assigned management of this fire. Firefighters continued to patrol and mop up containment lines. Crews repaired areas affected by fire-suppression activities. For example, where mineral soil is exposed on handlines, they raked it to create a rough surface, spreading annual ryegrass seed and raking leaves over the seed to act as mulch. The short-lived grass will minimize erosion until native plants can get reestablished. Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 71% - Personnel: 185 - Start Date: November 4 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/ PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS-LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES) Crews are completing rehabilitation to ensure that the bulldozer lines and hand lines don't contribute to erosion due to significant rain events. Rumbling Bald Climbing Access area is closed until further notice. The Chimney Rock and Chimney Rock State Park Visitors Center as well as the Welcome Center at Lake Lure reopened to the public today. Three (3) community meetings are scheduled for Saturday 11/26/16: 10:00 A.M.Lake Lure Fire Department - 622 Memorial HWY - Lake Lure 12:00 P.M.Chimney Rock Fire Department - 109 Terrace Dr. - Lake Lure 2:00 P.M.Bat Cave Baptist Church - 5095 Chimney Rock Rd. - Hendersonville Acreage: 7,171 - Containment: 70% - Personnel: 306 - Start Date: November 5 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5092/ ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) Burnout operations planned for the area between Rock Mountain Fire and the Patterson Gap area were implemented this afternoon. Residents of the Betty's Creek area will see smoke as firefighters continue to monitor the fire burning slowly toward containment lines. The intent is to strengthen the fireline by using fire to consume available dead and down vegetation on the landscape between the front of the fire and the containment line. Mulberry Road, southwest of Franklin in Macon County near the Georgia state line, is still closed to through traffic. All evacuations are still in place; to see the latest pre-evacuation and evacuation updates, CLICK HERE. Acreage: ~19,000 - Containment: 35% - Personnel: 567- Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY) Continue mop up and holding the lines in all divisions. Containment lines are looking good and holding. Crews worked on rehabilitation to ensure that the bulldozer lines and hand lines don't contribute to erosion due to significant rain events. Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 80% - Personnel: 154 - Start Date: November 6 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES) Crews reinforced firelines during burnout operations. The fire south of Saluda River is nearing full containment. Crews will continue to monitor and mop up any hot spots; structure protection is on-going. Local resources from the Transylvania County Volunteer Fire Department coordinated with the incident management team today to assist as needed. Closures: Table Rock State Park and the trail system remain closed. For more information, CLICK HERE. Media Advisory: For all information about the Pinnacle Mountain Fire and the ongoing response in South Carolina, all media should contact the Pinnacle Mountain Joint Information Center at (864) 898-2437 or pmfjic@gmail.com. Acreage: 8,903- Containment: 40% - Personnel: 258 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5108/ FOREST AND TRAIL CLOSURES Nantahala National Forest Closures http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (relative to the ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE). http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/home/?cid=fseprd523949 APPALACHIAN TRAIL (A.T.) http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/trail-updates  |