 Background In a historically active fall fire season, several fires are burning on the Tusquitee and Nantahala Ranger Districts of the Nantahala National Forest in southwestern North Carolina. When fires are discovered, firefighters try to put them out immediately, but in many situations it is unsafe for them to engage the fire directly at the fire's edge due to steep, rugged terrain and extremely flammable vegetation including dried leaves on trees and on the ground. Helicopters drop water on the fires to slow their progression, but firefighters must build firelines with hand tools and bulldozers away from the fire's edge to contain the fires. Safety of firefighters and the public is the highest priority in managing all fires. Homes and other structures are assessed, and where it is safe to do so, protected from approaching fires with firelines, portable water tank, hose lays and sprinkler systems. A total of 347 personnel are on station as of 9:00 a.m. this morning to support fighting the assigned fires. Yesterday's events Boteler: Firefighters maintained control lines and patrol, secure, and mopped up areas where they burned adjacent to homes to protect them. They conducted more burning around structures and continued other structure protection measures. Knob: Firefighters built firelines, burned vegetation between the fire and control lines, and mopped up previously burned areas.The fire had a spot fire off Highway 64, which firefighters contained. Dick's Creek: As the priority fire for Branch 2, continued to defend structures and made good progress on firelines. Tellico: Firefighters held containment lines on Wesser Bald Road and Tellico Road and burned vegetation between the lines and the fire. Crews built firelines along the Appalachian Trail. Conducted good structure protection on the south west portion of the fire. May Branch: Fire lines were reinforced today. Made good progress. No structures were threatened. Jones Gap, Wine Spring, Cliffside and Moses Creek: Continued monitoring and patrolling. Planned Events North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory visited the Incident Command Post at Hayesville for a morning briefing on the Boteler Fire and Nantahala Fires. Boteler: Improve Bruce Ridge Road west along the ridge to Chunky Gal Trail. Hold and secure as fire burns. Coordinate structure protection. Maintain control lines - blow leaves. Conduct tactical burnouts as needed. Knob: Work to address fire growth areas. Conduct tactical burns out when conditions to increase protection. Check and clean out control lines. Monitor Hwy 64 for smoke and traffic as fire progresses. Get newly assigned additional equipment on the fire. Use aircraft as needed. Dick's Creek: Firefighters are focusing on protecting structures on the Southeast end, scouting dozer locations to cutoff spread to the North, and using use aircraft as needed to support ground resources. Tellico: Firefighters are scouting for possible locations to implement control lines to the North, continuing to improve and hold control line on the Southwest, patrolling and mopping up, and using aircraft when needed. May Branch: Crews patrolled and mopped up control lines. No structures were threatened. Jones Gap, Wine Spring, Cliffside and Moses Creek: Continued monitoring and patrolling. Ferebee: New fire. Crews continued to scout out and locate possible lines in Nantahala Gorge. Safety Visibility along Highway 64 may be limited at times due to smoke and fog. With more people and equipment arriving to fight fires in the area, motorists should exercise caution when driving. HIGH Fire Danger today! NO Campfires allowed except in developed campgrounds with fees. Homeowners can prevent property damage from fires by keeping flammable materials such as woodpiles or dead leaves away from your home or propane tanks. Fire Restrictions The Nantahala National Forest has the following fire restrictions in place: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire is not allowed outside of developed campgrounds where a fee is paid.
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