Single Publication

The Southern Area Gray Team took over management of the Great Lakes Fire at 8 AM this morning.  The Gray Team is a Type III team with a smaller organization structure.  The condition of the fire has allowed for a smaller organization.  Firefighters continue to be on the firelines to patrol, monitor, and eliminate any heat sources that may come up during the current drying trend this week. Accumulated rainfall totals from passing storms have significantly aided firefighting efforts. The primary object for the Gray Team is public and firefighter safety.  Please be aware that while some of the wildland resources including personnel and engines, have been released from this incident, there are still personnel and equipment travelling the roads in the area.  Please use caution when driving near them. 

Acreage: 32,400 acres Containment: 63%   

Personnel and Equipment: 203 total personnel; 2 helicopters, 7 Type-6 engines, 2 Type-2 and 3 Type-3 tractor plow units, 1 drone, 1 fixed wing aircraft, 1 grader, 1 excavator and 1 ambulance.  

Sunny, dry and windy conditions are expected today and through midweek with temperatures in the 70’s, relative humidity around 20% and wind gusts of 25 to 30 mph. Drying conditions are expected to continue and crews continue to patrol for any hidden heat sources that may ignite ground fuels.  

Today, work around the fire consists mainly of patrolling and monitoring for heat sources with the aid of drone mounted infrared equipment to locate those heat sources.  The predicted weather conditions will actually help firefighters on the ground to quickly deal with any hidden heat sources revealed by the presence of smoke. Focus will be on the Great Lakes Road primarily in the southeast portion of the fireline, and Black Swamp Road in the southwest portion of the fire.  

Yesterday firefighters continued to patrol and monitor the fire, mop up along Black Swamp Road and road crews continued to gravel Mattocks Road.  

Air quality: Information on current air quality data for North Carolina is at https://www.airnow.gov/.   

Closures: Road closures on County Line Road and Catfish Lake Road remain in effect. Forest Service Road 203 is also closed due to fire operations. Updates to road closures surrounding the fire is at https://drivenc.gov/.  

Temporary Flight Restriction: Note: The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire area has changed in that the hours of the restriction are now between 6 AM to midnight. Information is at the Federal Aviation Administration website. A flight restriction is necessary to protect aerial firefighting operations. If there are intrusions into the Temporary Flight Restrictions, we must stop aerial operations.  

We have had many offers of donations to firefighters. We are grateful for your support, but currently do not have the capacity for processing and storing donations on site. In lieu of donations to the Great Lakes Fire please consider making a monetary donation to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.