Single Publication

Today April 24, 2025 will be our last update. We will be turning the fire back to the locals as of today. We would like to thank Graham County for all the help and support.

Size: 3,103 acres   Location: 7 miles west of Robbinsville, NC.   County: Graham

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 57%  Total Personnel: 113

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 24, 2025 - The Haoe Lead Fire is located within and adjacent to the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest, approximately 7 miles west of Robbinsville, North Carolina, and 2 miles west of Lake Santeetlah. The fire is entirely on National Forest System lands, and no private lands or structures are threatened. No evacuations are in effect or anticipated. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy using existing barriers and a combination of direct and indirect tactics. This fire is predominantly within the fire scar of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire, in steep and rugged terrain.

Yesterday’s Activities – Damp and rainy conditions kept fire activity minimal. Crews patrolled the fire perimeter area and extinguished a small number of smoldering heavy fuels. They completed the removal of all the hose, pumps and other water handling equipment from the fire area. Firefighters also removed fire-weakened and dead trees (snags) near recreation facilities and roads. In addition, firefighters began suppression repair work to naturalize fire lines.

Ongoing Activities – Ongoing rain for the remainder of the week will continue to diminish fire activity throughout the area. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor fire lines, roads, and the fire perimeter and extinguish any smoking or smoldering heavy fuels. Suppression repair work will continue to naturalize the handlines and dozer lines that have been constructed and return them to their pre-fire state. The number of firefighters and resources assigned to the fire will continue to decrease as fire containment increases.

Transfer of command of the Haoe Lead Fire from the Southern Area Gray Team back to local Cheoah Ranger District personnel occurred on Thursday, April 24.

Weather and Smoke – The fire has received approximately 1.5 inches of rain since Monday, April 21, which has greatly aided in fire suppression. The wet weather pattern will continue with at least scattered showers and thunderstorms through Saturday, April 26. Smoke from the fire may sometimes be visible from area roads and communities. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Closures - The USDA Forest Service closure order for the area around the Haoe Lead Fire remains in effect for the safety of both the public and fire personnel. Fire managers will assess conditions daily to determine when this closure can be reduced or lifted. The closed area includes the North Carolina portion of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and non-Wilderness lands in the Santeetlah Road area. 

Most trails in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness remain closed, including Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop. Several of these closed trails are sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail. In addition, Santeetlah Road and the Big Santeetlah Creek area are closed to all public use.

Aircraft and Drone Restrictions – Firefighting aircraft continue to assist in suppression efforts. Private pilots should continue to avoid the fire area. Public drone use near the fire remains prohibited due to the risk of interference with aviation assets. If you fly, we can’t.

This is the final Daily Update for the Haoe Lead Fire.  Please refer to the Facebook page and website of the National Forests in North Carolina, or the fire information phone line, for current information.