Maple Springs/Old Roughy Fires November 15, 2016 Morning Press Release

Rocky Mountain Blue Team

Fire Size:
Maple Springs Fire
7,515 acres

Old Roughy Fire
657 acres

Evacuations:
Call 828-479-7985 for up to date information

Containment: 
15% contained  Maple Springs
80% contained Old Roughy  

Location: 
North of Lake Santeetlah
 
Started: 
11/04/16 Maple Springs
11/08/16 Old Roughy
Cause to be determined.
 
Total personnel:
355 responders

Management: 
Rocky Mountain
Type 2 Blue Team

Burn ban in effect:
www,fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfscu/alerts-notices/

Air Quality Reports: www.xapps.ncdenr.org

Summary:
 
Firefighters are mopping up and securing containment lines on the Maple Springs and Old Roughy fires while at the same time scouting for contingency lines to the west and north of the Maple Springs fire.
  
On Monday, aircraft were able to drop over 70,000 gallons of water on the western and southern flanks of the Maple Springs fire in the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness. Those two areas remain the most active portions of the fire, which is creeping west into the wilderness area toward the Tennessee border. Aircraft use is based on operational needs and weather conditions.
  
The water drops will give firefighters the opportunity to focus on building and scouting for contingency lines to the west and north of the active part of the 7,515 acre Maple Springs fire, which remains at 15 percent containment. The fire will likely continue creeping west into the wilderness area but has been a low-intensity burn that is removing leaves and other dead vegetation from the forest floor.
  
Most fire activity on the Maple Springs fires is confined to upper creek and river drainages and ridge tops in the wilderness area. The fire has been holding in the bottom of creek and river drainages.
  
The 657 acre Old Roughy fire, meanwhile, was 80 percent contained on Monday and command staff is anticipating full containment by the end of shift today.
  
The weather over the fires today will be similar to Monday, with temperatures in the 60s and relative humidities in the 35 percent range. Light winds should provide better smoke dispersal in the afternoon. Slightly windier conditions are anticipated on Wednesday, with a warming and drying trend expected in the area the rest of the week.
  
Evacuations orders issued on Nov. 9 for Lindy and Gold Mine roads on the east side of the Maple Springs fire north of Robbinsville were lifted early Mondayafternoon to allow residents back into their homes. In addition, both sections of Highway 129 that were closed last week due to the potential for falling trees on the road were reopened Monday.