Joint Information Center Western NC Wildfire Summary - Morning Update - Sunday, November 20

UPDATES ON MAJOR AREA FIRES
For more information visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/34/

GRANDFATHER DISTRICT, PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST
 
NEW FIRE STARTS: Updated information will be provided on the afternoon JIC update.

CLEAR CREEK (NCFS / USFS) NEAR MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY
The fire is burning off Clear Creek road, west of Marion.
Acreage: 50 - Start Date: November 20

PINEY MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS) NEAR OLD FORT, MCDOWELL COUNTY
The fire is burning in the Curtis Creek area of Old Fort. A drone flying over the Piney Mountain Fire on the Grandfather Ranger District has delayed air attack operations. If drones fly, critical air support over wildfires cannot.
Acreage: 90 - Start Date: November 20

MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY)
Work on both fires now consists primarily of patrolling and mopping up containment lines. An infrared flight Saturday night showed that any remaining hot spots on the Maple Springs fire are well within containment lines and do not pose a threat to breach those lines. Firefighters have begun rehabilitation and are making plans to begin rehabilitation on parts of the Maple Springs fire. The focus of the rehabilitation work will be filling in dozer lines constructed as fire breaks and building water bars to prevent erosion due to runoff. The Old Roughy fire is 100% contained and reported as no longer active.
Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 51-53% - 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 Tellico Fire. 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. Fuels are extremely dry. These dry conditions coupled with higher wind speeds present the possibility for increased fire behavior. As the current cold front moves out of the region, winds should dissipate. This will reduce the threat of an aggressive re-burn. 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: 250 - Start Date: November 3

BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY)
Patrol and monitoring of the existing fire lines will continue. Leaf fall is causing problems by covering control lines and increasing re-burn potential.
Acreage: 9,015 - Containment: 72% - Personnel: 391 - Start Date: October 25

CATHY GAP FIRE (USFS - JACKSON/TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LINE)
Due to continued higher winds and modest relative humidity recovery, the possibility for extended burn periods exists. If fire behavior becomes active, the highest flame spread rates will be along ridge tops and northern facing aspects of hillsides. However, 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 the fire managers report there was no fire growth outside those lines. Continued windy conditions and low humidity will keep fire fighters on their toes again today. "If we can hold it one more day, we should be in great shape" Incident Commander Dan Brandon told fire fighters during Sunday's morning briefing. 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: 920 - Start Date: November 5

CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY)
The cold front continues to bring high winds and is expected to contribute to very low humidity throughout the night and tomorrow. Fireline preparations from previous days allowed all existing lines to contain the fire despite strong and gusty winds throughout the day.
Acreage: 6,424- Containment: 40% - Personnel: 330 - Start Date: November 6

DOBSON 3 FIRE (BIA - QUALLA BOUNDARY, JACKSON COUNTY)
Additional resources have been made available to assist local resources with any new fires that may start within the Qualla Boundary. Fire suppression crews continue to monitor and patrol all fires within the Qualla Boundary. Safety of the firefighters and the community is number one priority as the firefighters go about their daily responsibilities.
Acreage: 756 acres - Containment: 85% - Personnel: 80 - Start Date: November 2

ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS IN GA AND NC)
Firefighters will work to hold on to existing containment lines as they are tested by wind gusts blowing up to 25-30 mph on the ridge tops. Crews will re-clear, patrol and hold existing containment lines; remaining watchful for situations where additional leaf fall in areas of heat may cause the fire to re-ignite. In cooperation with County and Local fire fighters, crews will continue patrol around structures.
Acreage: 11,287 - Containment: 30% - Personnel: 498 - Start Date: November 9