Incident Publication

Firefighters successfully completed strategic firing operations to reduce unburned fuels on the Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County near the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery. Today firefighters will continue mopping up hotspots, securing containment lines and patrolling the fire’s edge. They are also repairing areas disturbed by suppression activities. This includes installing water bars on dozer lines to reduce erosion.

After careful coordination and evaluation of current fire behavior and containment progress, McDowell County Emergency Management lifted the evacuation order for residences on Wild Acres Road and Wild Acres Retreat. Officials urge residents to remain cautious and aware of any ongoing firefighting activity in the area. 

The 1,397-acre fire is 27% contained with 159 personnel from the USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, National Park Service, McDowell County and Woodlawn Fire Department. 

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.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area each day from 10 a.m. to midnight. See the map at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_7644. Aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying to provide a safe environment for firefighting. If you fly, we can’t. If a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until the drone is clear of the area. 

Please be aware of smoke and crews in the area. Drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check air quality at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov.

Size: 2,043 acres   Location: 7 miles west of Robbinsville, NC.  County: Graham

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: 94

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 20, 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 – Firefighters constructed handlines and began deploying hoselays and other protection measures in the Little Santeetlah Creek and Horse Cove Ridge areas to keep the fire away from the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and Memorial Loop Trail.  A heavy helicopter dropped water throughout the day on the most active portions of the fire.  Personnel patrolled the eastern portion of the fire along and near Maple Springs Overlook Road (SR 1127) and strengthened containment features there.  Fire managers scouted the western and southwestern sides of the fire for future containment line opportunities.

Today’s Activities – On the east side of the fire along and near Maple Springs Overlook Road (SR 1127), firefighters will patrol and mop up areas near the firelines, searching out any stumps or heavy fuels still burning after the strategic firing operations two days ago.  On the south side of the fire, crews will continue to improve existing firelines and construct additional handlines to the west of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and southward to Santeetlah Road (FSR 81).  Firefighters will install portable pumps and hoselays near the Memorial Loop Trail for additional protection in this area if needed. On the west side of the fire, firefighters will begin construction of both handline and dozer line in the Wolf Laurel Branch and Stratton Bald areas.  Dozer work will only be done on land outside of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness.  Aviation assets are available and will be utilized as needed.

Weather and Smoke – Today will be partly sunny with a high temperature of 81 degrees, minimum humidity of 42 percent, and light winds from the south. Today’s higher humidity and lighter winds are expected to aid fire suppression efforts.  Fire activity is expected to increase in the afternoon, particularly on south and west facing slopes. 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.  However, the public is asked to 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 the effectiveness of 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.

Firefighters continue suppression operations on the 1,314-acre Bee Rock Creek Fire burning in steep terrain and storm debris in McDowell County near the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery. The fire is 27% contained and has 195 personnel from the USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, National Park Service, McDowell County and Woodlawn Fire Department.

Yesterday, firefighters began strategic firing operations to reduce unburned fuel between the fire’s north edge and the Blue Ridge Parkway and between dozer lines extending from the east and west sides of the fire up to the Parkway. Firefighters use carefully planned strategic firing operations while weather conditions will keep fire behavior low. This brings the fire to specific control features where there is the best chance of safely and successfully containing the fire. This work is expected to be completed today. Smoke from this planned event may affect McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties.

Firefighters will also be mopping up around the edges of the fire, using drones with infrared cameras to search for sources of heat and extinguishing them to secure containment. 

The National Forests in North Carolina has 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.

McDowell County Emergency Management has issued an evacuation order for all residences on Wild Acres Road off of NC 226 A. Click to view McDowell County’s live evacuation map.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area each day from 10 a.m. to midnight. See the map at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_7644. Aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying to provide a safe environment for firefighting. If you fly, we can’t. If a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until the drone is clear of the area. 

Please be aware of smoke and crews in the area. Drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check air quality at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE NATIONAL FORESTS IN NORTH CAROLINA NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST, CHEOAH RANGER DISTRICT

FOREST ORDER #08-11-02-25-02

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR §§ 261.50 (a) and (b), the area of National Forest System lands in the “Haoe Fire Area” located on the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest is closed to entry. The area is closed to entering and/or being upon or present in. This order is intended to mitigate risks to public health and safety, to provide for disaster and safety operations, and to protect the resources while responding to and recovering from the Haoe fire. This closure is effective until May 2nd, 2025, or until rescinded by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first. The area that is closed includes National Forest System lands within the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and lands between the Slickrock Wilderness, the North Carolina and Tennessee Border, and the Cherohala Skyway, as depicted on the attached map. Only National Forest System lands are impacted by this closure. The above prohibited acts are set forth in 36 CFR section 261.53 (e) Special Closures for Public Health or Safety. It is prohibited to go into or be upon any of the areas described in this order.

Pursuant to 36 CFR, § 261.50 (e), the following persons or areas are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a special use permit or contract specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act of omission. 

2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 

Executed in Asheville North Carolina, on April 18, 2025.

See map under map tab.

____________________________

Barry Jones

ACTING FOREST SUPERVISOR NATIONAL FORESTS IN NORTH CAROLINA

Violations of the above prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5000.00 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. Title 16 USC 551 and Title 18 USC 3559 and 3571.

Size: 1,895 acres   Location: 7 miles west of Robbinsville, NC.  County: Graham

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: 89

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 19, 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 – Fire activity increased Friday afternoon because of full sun, wind, and low humidity conditions. The fire crossed Little Santeetlah Creek. It quickly became established in rugged steep terrain to the west of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and grew to the northwest. Two heavy helicopters dropped water throughout the afternoon to limit fire spread. 

On the east flank of the fire near Horse Cove Campground, firefighters successfully conducted a strategic firing operation along a portion of Maple Springs Overlook Road (SR 1127) to remove unburned fuels and secure that portion of the fire perimeter.

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will be constructing firelines and implementing other protection measures in the Little Santeetlah Creek and Horse Cove Ridge areas between the active fire area and the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Heavy helicopters will drop water on the most active parts of the fire to reduce intensity and limit spread. Personnel will continue to monitor the east flank of the fire along Maple Springs Overlook Road (SR 1127) and assess opportunities for additional containment efforts. Additional resources have been ordered to support the ongoing full suppression efforts.

Weather and Smoke – Today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature of 82 degrees and minimum humidity of 30 percent. Winds will be from the southwest at 6-8 mph, with afternoon gusts to 20 mph. Fire activity is expected to increase throughout the afternoon, particularly on south and west facing slopes, then decrease after sundown. 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 implemented a new emergency closure order in response to the fire growth yesterday. This order expands the area around the Haoe Lead Fire that is closed to all public use for the safety of both the public and fire personnel. This expanded area includes Santeetlah Road (Forest Service Road 81) and the trails and recreation sites along it. 

The fire is burning entirely on national forest lands. There are no evacuations in effect at this time.

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 now closed. 

Aircraft and Drone Restrictions – The public is asked not to fly any type of aircraft, including drones, near the fire area. Unauthorized drone (UAS) flights pose serious risks to the effectiveness of 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.

Email: 2025.haoelead@firenet.gov    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-haoe-lead

Bee Rock Creek Fire Update for 4/19/25 – Grandfather Ranger District – McDowell County.

Firefighters have achieved 27% containment on the 1,047-acre Bee Rock Creek Fire burning in steep terrain and storm debris in McDowell County near the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery. Yesterday, firefighters mopped up along Armstrong Creek Road, extinguishing hotspots to secure containment lines. Helicopters dropped water to slow fire growth in support of the firefighters working on the ground. 

Data from last night’s infrared flight showed heat near the south side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This morning firefighters, including 2 Interagency Hotshot crews, investigated the area on foot and with the use of a drone but could not find a fire. 

If weather conditions allow, firefighters will implement strategic firing operations to reduce the amount of unburned fuel between the fire and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Smoke from this planned event may affect McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties.

Firefighters use carefully planned strategic firing operations while weather conditions will keep fire behavior low. In anticipation of the strategic firing operations, firefighters have removed storm debris and constructed dozer lines from the Parkway down towards the main fire area on the east and west sides to contain the fire within this area.

The National Forests in North Carolina has issued a closure order for the area of the Bee Rock Creek Fire. National Forest System lands between Armstrong Creek Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway are closed to entry for public and firefighter safety. 

The USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, National Park Service, McDowell County and Woodlawn Fire Department have 174 personnel working to suppress the fire and create containment lines to stop the spread of the fire.

McDowell County Emergency Management has issued an evacuation order for all residences on Wild Acres Road off of NC 226 A. Click to view McDowell County’s live evacuation map.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area each day from 10 a.m. to midnight. See the map at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_7644. Aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying to provide a safe environment for firefighting. If you fly, we can’t. If a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until the drone is clear of the area. 

Please be aware of smoke and crews in the area. Drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check air quality at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE
NATIONAL FORESTS IN NORTH CAROLINA, PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST GRANDFATHER RANGER DISTRICT
FOREST ORDER# 08-11-05-25-03

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR §§ 261.50 (a) and (b), the area of National Forest System lands in the “Bee Rock Creek Fire Area” located on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest is closed to entry. The area is closed to entering and/or being upon or present in. This order is intended to mitigate risks to public health and safety, to provide for disaster and safety operations, and to protect the resources while responding to and recovering from the Bee Rock Creek fire. This closure is effective until May 2nd, 2025, or until rescinded by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.

The area that is closed includes National Forest System lands between Armstrong Creek Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway, as depicted on the attached map. Only National Forest System lands are impacted by this closure.
The above prohibited acts are set forth in 36 CFR section 261.53 (e) Special Closures for Public Health or Safety. It is prohibited to go into or be upon any of the areas described in this order.

Pursuant to 36 CFR, § 261.50 (e), the following persons or areas are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with a special use permit or contract specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act of omission.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Executed in Asheville North Carolina, on April 18, 2025.
________________

Bee Rock Creek Fire Update for 4/18/25 – Grandfather Ranger District – McDowell County.

The Bee Rock Creek Fire, burning in steep terrain and storm debris in McDowell County near the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery, grew to 856 acres with 10% containment. Yesterday, firefighters saw moderate fire activity with isolated wind and topographic driven runs. Helicopters dropped water to slow fire growth in support of the firefighters working on the ground. 

The USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County and Woodlawn Fire Department have 180 personnel working to suppress the fire and create containment lines to stop the spread of the fire.

With gusty winds expected today, firefighters are focused on preparing and protecting homes in Wild Acres and Roses Road and the hatchery. Crews have cut brush and blown leaves away from structures to create defensible space around homes. Firefighters will also be mopping up along Armstrong Creek Road, extinguishing hotspots to secure containment lines. Crews are prepping the Blue Ridge Parkway as a potential containment line by removing downed vegetation from Hurricane Helene. 

McDowell County Emergency Management has issued an evacuation order for all residences on Wild Acres Road off of NC 226 A. Click to view McDowell County’s live evacuation map.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area each day from 10 a.m. to midnight. See the map at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_7644. Aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying to provide a safe environment for firefighting. If you fly, we can’t. If a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until the drone is clear of the area. 

Please be aware of smoke and crews in the area. Drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check air quality at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov.

Size: 790 acres Location: 7 miles west of Robbinsville, NC. County: Graham

Start Date: April 12, 2025 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 85

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 17, 2025 – The Haoe Lead Fire is burning within the Joyce Kilmer￾Slickrock Wilderness of 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 being managed under a full suppression strategy and is burning predominantly in hardwood leaf litter in steep and rugged terrain. Much of the fire is burning within the fire scar of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.

Yesterday’s Activities – Fire personnel strengthened containment lines on the southern portion of the fire near the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail (TR 43) and trailhead and explored opportunities to engage the fire near State Road 1127 (Maple Springs Road). A helicopter reconnaissance flight provided more accurate mapping of the fire perimeter.

Today’s Activities – The Southern Area Gray Team, led by Incident Commander Mitch Ketron, today assumed command of the Haoe Lead Fire. Personnel will continue to focus their efforts on the southern and eastern portions of the fire. An early afternoon helicopter reconnaissance flight is planned, and additional aviation assets are available to fire managers if needed.

Weather and Smoke – Today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature of 70 degrees and minimum humidity of 26 percent. Winds are expected to be light and variable. Fire activity is expected to increase in the late afternoon, particularly on south and west facing slopes, then decrease after sundown. Smoke will be visible from area roads and communities. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Closures – The National Forests of North Carolina has implemented an emergency closure on the national forest lands in the Haoe Lead Fire area for the safety of both the public and fire personnel. The fire is burning entirely on national forest lands. There are no evacuations in effect at this time.

The following trails within the closure area are 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.

Aircraft and Drone Restrictions – The public is asked not to fly any type of aircraft, including drones, near the fire area. Unauthorized drone (UAS) flights pose serious risks to the effectiveness of 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

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

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District: Firefighters plan to conduct up to 25 acres of understory burning on the 2 Shorty units, 6 miles west of Thompson Falls.  Minimal smoke impacts are anticipated; however, smoke may be visible from Thompson Falls. 

2 Shorty Prescribed Burn

Fri, 04/18/2025 - 14:23

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2 Shorty Prescribed Burn

2 Shorty Prescribed Fire Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, April 18, 2025

Superior Ranger District: Firefighters will burn up to 60 acres in the Second Chance project area, 8 miles southeast of Superior in the North Fork Second Creek drainage on Forest Service Road 283.  The purpose of this burn is to reduce hazardous fuels created by previous management operations from the  Second Chance Timber Sale. 

Ignitions will be conducted utilizing a helicopter and a firing device called a ‘helitorch’. A helitorch is an aerial ignition device suspended below the helicopter to disperse an ignition source. Using a helicopter for prescribed burning allows fire managers to conduct burns more efficiently over large areas. Firefighters will be present on the ground to patrol and monitor the progress of the burn.   The helicopter will be operating out of Mineral County Airport. Smoke may be visible from Interstate 90 in the Lozeau area.

See map below.