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This is a supplemental update to the fires in North Carolina. All the fires are at 100% containment, with the exception of the Camp Branch and Rock Mountain. All fires are at various stages of mop up and suppression repair. A Burned Area Emergency Repair, BAER, team has arrived and started their assessment of repair needs and developing plans for the fire areas. Excess resources have moved to other fires in the southern region or are making their way back to their home units for much-needed rest. Thank you! The U.S. Forest Service would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the communities in Western North Carolina that were affected by the fires. Your support of the thousands of firefighters and support staff, many from across the nation, was friendly, thoughtful, caring and generous. The hospitality and kindness shown by the people in the communities, from meals at Thanksgiving, to supplies and signs on the side of the road, were touching. Fires Update All fires in Western North Carolina are at 100% containment, except Camp Branch and Rock Mountain Fires, which remain active at this time. UPDATES ON ACTIVE FIRES OR FIRE COMPLEXES Only those fires being actively managed and staffed are included in the Evening Summary. CAMP BRANCH FIRE (USFS - OTTO, MACON COUNTY) Nantahala Branch Due to the rain, containment efforts have been on hold until conditions allow for a safe return to the fire lines. Fire crews will continue to mop up and secure containment line, moving to 100% containment. As trees are downed by strong winds and rain, firefighters will clear downed trees off roads, such as Wayah Road (SR 1310), Forest Road 711 and Locust Tree Branch Road. Firefighters remain positioned to respond to any new fire starts. Acreage: 3,422 - Containment: 85% - Personnel: 211 - 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) As with the Camp Branch fire, containment efforts have been on hold due to the rain until conditions allow for a safe return to the fire lines. Fire crews will continue to mop up and secure containment line, moving to 100% containment. Crews will continue repair work with resource advisers along the fire's northern perimeter. They will also continue to patrol the fireline. Acreage: 24,725- Containment: 95% - Personnel: 137 - Start Date: November 9 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/# BAER Team The National Forests in North Carolina assembled a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team the end of November 2016, to analyze post-fire condition of burned watersheds and to plan emergency stabilization treatments for the western North Carolina wildfires. The BAER team is compiling reports that will identify immediate and emergency actions to address post-fire risks to people, property, and cultural and natural resources. Wildfire can increase the risk of flooding, erosion, and sedimentation. Other potential hazards include debris flow, reduced water quality, invasive plants, or falling trees and rocks. The BAER team report will contain an assessment of watershed pre- and post-fire response, areas of concern, values-at-risk, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization treatments. For updated information about the BAER team, go to the blog at -http://wncbaer.blogspot.com/ OTHER PERTINENT LINKS Nantahala National Forest Closures http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/nfsnc/home/?cid=stelprdb5379710&width=full 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  Comments are closed.
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