Incident 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.

U.S. Forest Service fire resources completed ignitions on 20 acres of the Camp Underburn today, April 23. Over the past two days, 93 acres of fuels reduction work has been completed on the project. While no further ignitions are currently planned, fire staff will continue to monitor the project area over several days to weeks to ensure incident and public safety objectives are met.

Fire officials on the Lolo National Forest may implement prescribed fire operations today and tomorrow, as weather and fuels conditions allow. 

April 24

Superior Ranger District: Firefighters will burn up to 10 acres in the Second Chance project area, 4.6 miles north of Lozeau in the Fish Creek drainage on Forest Service Road 7893 (see map below).  Minimal smoke impacts are anticipated; however, smoke may be visible from Interstate 90 in the Lozeau area.

 April 25

Missoula Ranger District: The Missoula Ranger Districts plans to burn up to 43 acres on the Blue Mountain Unit 60, adjacent to Forest Service Road 365 and Blue Mountain Road (see map). This understory prescribed burn is part of the Wildfire Adapted Missoula project.  

The prescribed burn objective is to reduce hazardous fuels by helping to reduce the risk of severe, wildfires and provide long-term ecosystem health, and help improve wildlife habitat and native plant regeneration.

All burning will be weather and fuel condition dependent. If ignition takes place, there is potential the burning could limit public access in these areas. For public safety, recreationists are asked to be aware of fire crews and vehicles in all prescribed fire areas. Prescribed fire signs will be posted near Maclay Flats on Blue Mountain Road, at the junction of Blue Mountain Road and the locked gate at Forest Service Road 365, and at the Blue Mountain trailhead. 

Please avoid traveling in proposed prescribed burn units as well as trails and roads directly adjacent to the units. Please exercise caution as roads and trails could be temporarily impacted by low intensity fire and smoke. Smoke may be visible from Highway 93, Blue Mountain, and surrounding area. 

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District: Firefighters plan to conduct up to 85 acres of understory burning on the 2 Short units 6 miles west of Thompson Falls.  Smoke may be visible from Thompson Falls. 

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

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 29%  Total Personnel: 124

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 23, 2025 - The Haoe Lead Fire is burning 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 in effect or anticipated. The Southern Area Gray Team is managing this fire under a full suppression strategy using existing barriers and a combination of direct and indirect tactics. The fire is burning hardwood leaf litter and shrubs in steep and rugged terrain, and much is within the fire scar of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire.

Yesterday’s Activities – Significant precipitation fell across the fire area beginning Monday evening and continued throughout the day Tuesday, with rain gauges on the fire recording amounts of 0.75 inches to more than an inch. The fire did not grow in size on Tuesday. Fire activity was minimal throughout the day, with only scattered heavy fuels and stumps smoking. Fire crews patrolled roads and fire lines along and near the fire perimeter.

Today’s Activities – Damp and rainy conditions will continue today and will keep fire activity minimal. Significant additional rainfall is expected. Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire lines and fire perimeter for any smoldering or smoking heavy fuels, logs and stumps. Crews will remove hoselays and other water handling equipment from the area near the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail (TR 43) and begin suppression repair work to naturalize handlines and dozer lines on the east and south portions of the fire. Some resources are being reassigned to other wildfires.

Weather and Smoke – Cloudy and rainy weather will continue today, with scattered thunderstorms possible. Additional rainfall accumulations of more than an inch are possible. Smoke from the fire will be minimal today. 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. 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 – The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for the area around the fire has been lifted. Firefighting aircraft are still active on the Haoe Lead Fire. Public drone (UAS) use near the fire remains prohibited due to the risk of interference with aviation assets. If you fly, we can’t.

Bee Rock Creek Fire Update for 4/23/25 – Grandfather Ranger District – McDowell County 

The Bee Rock Creek Fire area in McDowell County received about a quarter inch of rain in the last 48 hours and more rain is expected through Thursday. The 2,085-acre fire is now 94% contained. 

This is the final daily update. Follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc for additional information.

The National Forests in North Carolina closed the area of the Bee Rock Creek Fire between Armstrong Creek Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway for public safety. 

Some sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are also closed. Check the National Park Service website for details before visiting.

Fire and fuels personnel successfully completed 73 acres on the Tahoe National Forest Camp Underburn today. Resources will remain on scene through the night to monitor. Ignitions are planned to begin again tomorrow, April 23. 

Low intensity fire now can help reduce the risk of high intensity fire later.

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

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 29%  Total Personnel: 179

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 22, 2025 - The Haoe Lead Fire is burning 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 in effect or anticipated. The Southern Area Gray Team is managing this fire under a full suppression strategy using existing barriers and a combination of direct and indirect tactics. The fire is burning hardwood leaf litter and shrubs in steep and rugged terrain, and much is within the fire scar of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire.

Yesterday’s Activities – The burnout operation on the south side of the fire between Little Santeetlah Creek and Santeetlah Road (FSR 81) on Monday was successful in consuming the burnable vegetation near the established firelines in this area and securing this portion of the fire. Crews on the ground were supported by two heavy helicopters throughout the day. Precipitation began falling on the fire area late on Monday and continued throughout the night.

Today’s Activities – Precipitation is expected to continue across the fire area today, greatly reducing fire activity. Fire crews will patrol roads along and near the fire perimeter throughout the day, mopping up any smoke or heat they encounter. Hoselays near the Memorial Loop remain in place. The public should use caution on all area roads and avoid travel near the fire. 

Weather and Smoke – Today will be mostly cloudy with rain and rain showers throughout the day with a chance of thunderstorms. Rain amounts of up to 0.75 inches are likely with rain continuing tonight and tomorrow. Although reduced, smoke may 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. 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 (TR 43). 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 - A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) continues in effect for the area around the fire. No public aircraft of any type, including drones (UAS), are allowed within the TFR area. Unauthorized drone use near a fire poses serious risks to firefighters and forces suspension of aerial firefighting operations. If you fly, we can’t.

Firefighters increased containment to 50% on the 2,085-acre Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County yesterday. Most of the added containment is next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although the east and west sides of the fire are uncontained, firefighters used drones with infrared cameras and found little to no heat near firelines. Crews also repaired areas disturbed by suppression activities.

The fire area is predicted to receive about 1/3 inch of rain today. 

Nearly all of the personnel assigned to the fire will demobilize to return home or to other incidents. 

The National Forests in North Carolina closed the area of the Bee Rock Creek Fire between Armstrong Creek Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway for public and firefighter safety. 

Some sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are also closed. Check the National Park Service website for details before visiting.

PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., April 21, 2025— The San Juan National Forest’s Pagosa Ranger District is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in the Turkey Springs area starting as early as April 30th. The 885-acre Brockover-Devil Prescribed Fire project is located 8 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs.

Project area specifics:

• Location: Turkey Springs area, approximately ½ mile from the Hatcher Subdivision, immediately adjacent to NFSR roads 629 (Lower Turkey Springs) and 923 (Newt Jack Road).
• Smoke Impacts: During operations smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, PLPOA, County Rd 600 between Highway 160 and Piedra River Trailhead, and Highway 160 between Timberline Ridge and downtown Pagosa Springs. Smoke monitoring will be conducted, and ignitions will be scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information can be found online: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
• Why: The Pagosa Ranger District has implemented multiple vegetation treatments in the Brockover and Turkey Springs areas. This work reduces hazardous fuels, such as pine litter, dried needle cast and brush. Prescribed fire can reduce the risk of wildfire impacting communities and infrastructure under less favorable conditions. In addition, reducing surface fuels promotes new grass and forb growth, providing forage for many wildlife species.
• Closures: No official closures are in place but there will be traffic control on NFSR 629 and 923 during operations.  Forest users should avoid National Forest System Trails 305, 313, 316 and portions of 301, 302 and 323 during burn operations. 

Burning operations may take place over multiple days, but are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Prescribed burns may be changed or canceled last-minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance.  

Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb. For more information, please contact Brian Austin, Pagosa Ranger District Fuels Specialist at brian.austin@usda.gov. or by phone at (970) 264-2268. 

For information about the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

-USDA-

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Size: 2,436 acres   Location: 7 miles west of Robbinsville, NC.  County: Graham

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 12%   Total Personnel: 158

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 21, 2025 - The Haoe Lead Fire is burning within 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 Southern Area Gray Team is managing this fire under a full suppression strategy using existing barriers and a combination of direct and indirect tactics. The fire is burning predominantly in hardwood leaf litter in steep and rugged terrain. Much of this fire is burning in the fire scar of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire. 

Yesterday’s Activities – The Haoe Lead Fire grew slightly to the southwest yesterday to near the Wilderness boundary on Horse Cove Ridge.  Heavy helicopters dropped water on active portions of the fire throughout the day.  On the east side of the fire near Maple Springs Overlook Road (SR 1127), firefighters patrolled and mopped up remaining heavy fuels near the firelines.  On the south side of the fire, firefighters completed and improved handline from west of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest over Horse Cove Ridge south to Santeetlah Road (FSR 81).  They completed and tested portable pumps and hoselays near the Memorial Loop Trail.  On the southwest side of the fire, firefighters constructed both handline and dozerline in the Wolf Laurel Branch and Stratton Bald areas.  On the northwest side of the fire, personnel scouted future fireline locations. 

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will conduct a burnout operation on the southeast side of the fire from Little Santeetlah Creek southward towards Santeetlah Road (FSR 81). The public can expect to see increased smoke from this planned operation throughout the day.  This burnout will consume the burnable vegetation near the established firelines to secure this area against any future fire spread. Aviation assets will support this operation as necessary.  On the southwest side of the fire, crews will continue to construct and improve firelines in the Stratton Bald area.  Firefighters will continue to scout and assess potential future fireline locations on the west and northwest portions of the fire in the Wilderness.  On the east side, engine crews will continue to patrol and mop up along Maple Springs Overlook Road (SR 1127).

Weather and Smoke - Today will be partly sunny with a high temperature of 79 degrees, minimum humidity of 42 percent, and southwest winds of 7-9 mph with gusts to 28 mph. Light rain may begin in the late afternoon and continue overnight.  Planned burnout operations will result in increased smoke visible throughout the day. Smoke may be visible from area roads and communities. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Closures - The Haoe Lead Fire is burning entirely on National Forest System lands. There are no evacuations in effect at this time. The public should use caution on all area roads. 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. The closed area includes the North Carolina portion of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness including the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, and non-Wilderness lands in the Santeetlah Road (Forest Service Road 81) area.

The following trails remain closed: Slickrock Creek (TR 42), Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop (TR 43), Haoe Lead (TR 53), Jenkins Meadow (TR 53A), Stratton Bald (TR 54), Naked Ground (TR 55), Hangover Lead (TR 56), Wolf Laurel (TR 57) and Strawberry Knob (TR 217-H).  Several of these local trails are also sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail. In addition, Santeetlah Road (FSR 81), Wolf Laurel Road (FSR 81F) and the Big Santeetlah Creek area are closed. 

Aircraft and Drone Restrictions - A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect for the fire area. No public aircraft of any type, including drones, are allowed within the TFR area. Unauthorized drone (UAS) flights pose serious risks to wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger. If you fly, we can’t.