Single Publication

5,335 acres | 15% containment | 244 personnel assigned

Highlights: Fire behavior was moderated yesterday due to the cold front which passed through the area, bringing cloud cover, cooler temperatures, increased humidity, and light precipitation; today’s forecast calls for these conditions to through Sunday morning. 

Firefighters will continue to build and improve containment lines in the area of Snider’s Creek Road and McClellan Road today to the northwest of the fire. Engines remained on scene throughout the night to provide point protection for structures. Crews will patrol near the communities of Bolden Branch and Lord’s Way and perform mop-up operations, such as extinguishing any lingering hotspots, as needed. 

To the northeast of the fire in the Kimsey Cove area, hand lines were completed, and crews will take advantage of the fire-moderating weather to work on contingency lines to the east. Fire activity along Shinbone Ridge on the southern edge of the fire has been minimal, and fire managers anticipate patrol and mop-up operations to begin soon. 

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Resources assigned to the fire includes, five 20-person hand crews, Type 4 and 6 Engines; Dozers; and Water Tenders. Aerial resources include three helicopters. 

Weather & Fire Behavior: Light rain is expected over the fire area today along with increased humidity, clouds, and cooler temperature. This trend will continue through the weekend with the possibility of light rain on Sunday. Until sufficient rain occurs, fire activity and growth are expected to continue with areas of heavy fuels potentially causing flareups.  

Air Quality: Smoke may occur in nearby communities. Air quality information provided by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is available at airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/. 

Burn Bans: Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning until further notice in several counties in western North Carolina. For more information visit https://www.ncforestservice.gov/fire_control/sit_report.htm

The U.S. Forest Service has implemented fire restrictions across the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. To view the closure order visit www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices

Temporary Flight Restriction: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Collett Ridge Fire area. If you fly, we can’t. Aircraft or drone intrusions into the restricted airspace endangers aircrews conducting fire operations and aerial resources are grounded for safety. This unnecessarily places aircrews and ground fire crews at risk in a dynamic and dangerous fire environment.

Closures: For public and firefighter safety the following road and area closures are in effect due to increased fire activity and suppression operations in the area from Big Stamp east to Shinbone Ridge to Signal Bald and a road closure is in effect from the intersection of Little Fires Creek Road, 340B, and Fires Creek Road, 340. The Rim Trail is temporarily closed for approximately 7 miles from Big Stamp to Shinbone.