Single Publication

Media Contact:

Southern Area Red Team

2025.RattlesnakeBranch@firenet.gov

(828) 519-8242

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch

https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/

Rattlesnake Branch Fire Final Update -- April 4, 2025

NOTE: This is the last update of the Rattlesnake Branch Fire by the Southern

Area Red Complex Incident Management Team. A smaller team will remain in

place for the remainder of the incident and can be reach at the contact above.

CRUSO, N.C., April 4, 2025 – The Rattlesnake Branch Fire remains at

approximately 1,843 acres and 26-percent contained. With several resources

returning home, more than 110 personnel continue to work on the fire.

Yesterday’s Activities

Yesterday, many firefighters and equipment were released from the fire because

they were in excess of current needs for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire. Management

of the fire has shifted to monitoring, patrolling and completing data collection for

structure protection and potential places for fire line construction. In the Crawford

Creek Area, crews cleared roads for emergency access. Most of the assessment

work yesterday was northwest and west of the fire, near the Camp Daniel Boone

Boy Scout Camp and including the Frazier and Little East Fork Road systems. The

drone flew up to the peak of Cold Mountain and checked the southern fire perimeter

for heat signatures. Some areas of the fire received more rain yesterday.

Today’s Activities

More firefighters and equipment will be released from the fire today. Remaining

personnel will continue to patrol and mop up around structures in Crawford Creek

and Cruso, as needed, and improve fire lines to protect structures in the Burnett,

Lenoir and Dix creek drainages and around the Boy Scout Camp.

A hotshot crew will also work to assess and clear trails on Cold Mountain. Roads

and fire lines used for fire suppression around Crawford Creek, Cruso and Burnette

Cove Road will be repaired, including installing water bars on roads to prevent

erosion. Firefighters will continue to collect data on potential future fire lines and

structures for a structure protection plan, including data on interior logging logs west

of the current fire footprint.

Weather/Fire Behavior: Today will be mostly cloudy with warmer temperatures and

strong southerly winds. A strong, rainy cold front arrives Sunday, with wetting rain

(1.5 – 1.75 inches) and thunderstorms. The high temperature today will be 71 -76

degrees with 45-48 percent minimum relative humidity. Winds will be south to

southwest, 10-14 mph with gusts to 32 mph.

Minimal fire activity is expected again today due to moisture retained by dead leaves

and woody vegetation on the ground.

Closures and Restrictions: The Pisgah National Forest has modified an area

closure of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area to protect the public from wildfire and

firefighting operations. This closure includes all National Forest System land in the

Shining Rock Wilderness Area only. Please stay safe and keep out of the wilderness

area.

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes

use of personal drones.

For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incidentinformation/

ncncf-rattlesnake-branch.