Joint Information Center Western NC Wildfires Wednesday morning summary

MORNING SUMMARY ON FIRES AND FIRE COMPLEXES

NOTE: The Evening Summary lists air quality conditions, evacuations, closures or pertinent information related to specific fires or fire complexes

NEW FIRE START
Camp Branch, Trail of Tears Corridor (USFS - Macon County): This fire is part of the Boteler Fire Complex. Details will be provided in the Evening Summary.
Acreage: 100
 
HORTON FIRE (NCFS - WATAUGA COUNTY)
The fire is expected to grow to approximately 1500 acres today; however, that growth remains inside the identified containment areas. Over 50 firefighters remained on the fire overnight to strengthen containment lines and to ensure protection for homes in the area.
There are no structures burned at this time, and there are multiple fire crews assigned specifically for structure protection. Yesterday and overnight burnout operations were safely completed around homes within the fire area. Crews will continue to use this strategy today to safely remove fuel around homes.
Acreage: 700 - Containment: 20% - Personnel: 100 - Start Date: November 21
http://hortonfire.blogspot.com/
 
PINNACLE MOUNTAIN FIRE (SCFS / USFS - PICKENS AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES)
The fire has crossed into the northwestern sliver of Greenville County and up against the western side of Table Rock Reservoir. This portion of the fire is the most active area and continues to grow at a moderate pace.
The division of 60 hand crew members and three bulldozers assigned to this growing section is constructing lines from Table Rock Reservoir on the east around the fire to Benfield Road on the west where Greenville and Pickens counties meet. Officials believe the additional resources will be able to establish a line far enough outside of the fire's perimeter to box it in to this new containment area.
Acreage: 6,000 - Containment: 35% - Personnel: 263 - Start Date: November 9
https://www.state.sc.us/forest/
 
CLEAR CREEK FIRE (NCFS / USFS - MARION, MCDOWELL COUNTY)
A 10-mile stretch of N.C. 80 is closed is closed from Toms Creek Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Yancey County line. A 41-mile marked detour takes motorists on U.S. 221 north, to U.S. 226 west in Spruce Pine, to U.S. 19E west at Micaville, then back down U.S. 80. 
 
Firefighters will continue to improve indirect fire line and hold the fire on the southern and eastern edges of the fire. Crews working the northern edge of the fire will continue to hold the fire and continue with firing operations as needed. Structure protection will continue along the Clear Creek Road and Hwy 80. Night operations are scheduled for this evening. The fire is expected to spread to the West due to continuous fuel.
Acreage: 2,006- Containment: 10% - Personnel: 224 - Start Date: November 20
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5106/#
 
MAPLE SPRINGS FIRE (USFS-LAKE SANTEELAH AREA, GRAHAM COUNTY)
The fire transitioned from the Type 2 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team to the Type 1 Southern Area Blue Team at 7:30 a.m. today. There will be no change in strategy or tactics with the new team coming in. Firefighters are still mopping up and patrolling containment lines; rehabilitation and reseeding work continues. A reconnaissance flight last night revealed only three small areas of heat on the Maple Springs Fire, all of which were well within containment lines.
Acreage: 7,788 - Containment: 69% - Personnel: 263 - Start Date: November 4
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5090/
 
TELLICO FIRE (USFS-NANTAHALA GORGE AREA, SWAIN AND MACON COUNTIES)
Fire crews will continue maintaining dozer, hand lines and contingency lines. This includes protection measures for structures and critical infrastructure. There is a portion of unsecured perimeter 50 ft. into the interior where mop up will continue. 
Acreage: 13,874- Containment: 91% - Personnel: 258- Start Date: November 3
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5084/
 
BOTELER FIRE (USFS-CHUNKY GAL AREA, CLAY COUNTY)
Fire crews will continue to maintain and patrol control lines as well as improve, secure and mop up fire lines. The coordination of structure protection within divisions will continue.
Acreage: 9,031- Containment: 77% - Personnel: 270 - Start Date: October 25
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5075/
 
CATHEY GAP FIRE (USFS - JACKSON/TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LINE)
The Cathey Gap Fire is part of the Boteler Fire Complex. This is the last update; future updates will be posted as warranted.
Acreage: 123 - Containment: 90% - Personnel: 21 - Start Date: November 17
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5105/
 
PARTY ROCK FIRE (NCFS-LAKE LURE AREA, RUTHERFORD, BUNCOMBE, AND HENDERSON COUNTIES)
In the nights head, residents may see what appear to be small campfires within the fire perimeter. There is no need to call authorities unless what appears to be an immediate threat to life or property.
Businesses or residents in the Lake Lure area who have questions about smoke damage and insurance claims can contact the Lake Lure Chamber of Commerce at (828) 625-2725. Anyone with fire or smoke damage should consult with their insurance carrier before signing contracts for cleaning or repair services.
Acreage: 7,171 - Containment: 54% - Personnel:             651 - Start Date: November 5
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5092/#
 
CHESTNUT KNOB FIRE (NCFS-SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY)
Fire operations will include mop up and holding the fire line in all divisions. 
Acreage: 6,435 - Containment: 65% - Personnel: 257 - Start Date: November 6
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5101/
 
DOBSON 3 FIRE (BIA- QUALLA BOUNDARY, JACKSON COUNTY)
This is the last update; future updates will be posted as warranted. 
Acreage: 756- Containment: 96% - Personnel: 56 - Start Date: November 2
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5097/#
 
ROCK MOUNTAIN FIRE (USFS - SOUTHERN NANTAHALA WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH GEORGIA AND CLAY AND MACON COUNTIES IN NC) 
Evacuations remain in effect, and the containment line near Tate City has been extended to the end of Tallulah Road into North Carolina. Operations today will again focus on protecting homes and property east of the fire in the areas of Betty's Creek Road and Patterson Gap. The structure protection group will be staffed with additional personnel to strengthen and build on their work from yesterday. All dozer lines to protect the area are expected to be completed today. Containment efforts will continue on the northern edge of the fire.
Acreage: 16,698 - Containment: 30% - Personnel: 467- Start Date: November 9
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5100/#