Slow Burning Wildfires Grow Larger
Many of the eastern Appalachian fires we wrote about last week continue to burn. The National Parks Service has imposed an outdoor fire ban as of Thursday, November 17th, and closed just over 60 miles of the Appalachian Trail from North Carolina to Georgia. While areas west of the mountains are receiving rain, none is forecast for the upcoming week in areas where fires are most intense. With winds continuing for the next couple days in excess of 20 mph and warmer-than-normal temperatures, the weather will not be favorable for firefighting crews struggling to increase containment.
Current Appalachian Fires in the Southeast
Wildfires in Southeast United States
Updated Fire Outlook
Several fires reported on by RedZone last week have grown significantly as these dry and windy conditions continue to impact the region.
Party Rock Fire
- Date of origin: November 5, 2016
- Location: Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, NC
- Size: 7,171 acres (last week: 977 acres)
- Containment: 36% (last week: 15%)
- Fire Behavior: Continues growing to the north
- Incident Page: InciWeb
- News Article: WYFF4 News
Party Rock Fire
Tellico Fire
- Date of origin: November 3, 2016
- Location: Almond, NC
- Size: 13,874 acres (last week: 6,839 acres)
- Containment: 81% (last week: 18%)
- Fire Behavior: Minimal smoldering and creeping, nearing containment with a few areas of isolated heat
- Incident Page: InciWeb
- News Article: UPI News
Maple Springs Fire
- Date of origin: November 4, 2016
- Location: Lake Santeetlah, NC
- Size: 7,788 acres (last week: 5,083 acres)
- Containment: 51% (last week: 10%)
- Fire Behavior: Slow spread through litter and understory
- Incident Page: InciWeb
- News Article: Incident Press Release
Maple Springs Fire
Boteler Fire
- Date of origin: November 11, 2016
- Location: Hayesville, NC
- Size: 8,967 acres (last week: 4,767 acres)
- Containment: 70% (last week: 12%)
- Fire Behavior: Minimal smoldering, backing downslope with up to 2 foot flame lengths
- Incident Page: InciWeb
- News Article: Clay County Progress Local Paper
Boteler Fire
Rough Ridge Fire
- Date of origin: October 16, 2016
- Location: Cisco, GA
- Size: 27,004 acres (last week: 10,336 acres)
- Containment: 40% (last week: 20%)
- Fire Behavior: Rough terrain continues to impede control and containment efforts.
- Incident Page: InciWeb
- News Article: Atlanta NBC11
Rough Ridge Fire
Rock Mountain Fire
- Date of origin: November 9, 2016
- Location: Dillard, GA
- Size: 9,382 acres (last week: 300 acres)
- Containment: 30% (last week: 2%)
- Fire Behavior: Anticipated spread in all directions due to elevation and leaf litter, limited spotting.
- Incident Page: InciWeb
- News Article: Atlanta NBC11
Rock Mountain Fire
