AT Closure, wildfire near Max Patch - GET OFF THE TRAIL

[illabelle]

This is all over Facebook, so probably most people already know, but I figured it should be posted here.
Black Bear Fire 11/16/23

Release Date: Nov 16, 2023 Firefighters are currently responding to the Black Bear Fire located near Interstate 40 at mile marker 3, in Haywood County on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. The fire is approximately 150 acres, burning in steep, rugged terrain and is 0% contained. The fire was reported around 9 a.m. today, November 16, the cause was a vehicle accident on Interstate 40. Currently there are no injuries reported.
The U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service are responding to the fire, personnel and equipment on the incident include air attack, air tankers, helicopters, a 20-person hand crew, and dozers. Aircraft are conducting retardant and water drops to slow the fire progression. Fire activity is very active, moving up a ridge through dry fuels.
Resources from the Southern Area Blue Team are being mobilized to the fire and will assume command once they arrive. The team is currently assigned to the Collett Ridge Fire in Cherokee County.
Closures: For public and firefighter safety, the Appalachian Trail is closed from Interstate 40 to Max Patch. Road closures are in effect for Cold Springs Road and Brown Gap Road. Impacts to travel along Interstate 40 are expected. Check current road conditions at drivenc.gov.
Smoke: The public can expect to see smoke when driving along I-40 near the fire, today and through the night, use caution when driving in the area.
Burn Bans: 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

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc...=FSEPRD1152343

[illabelle]

I've been checking rainfall for Knoxville. Up through August we did okay.
September normal precipitation is 4.02" - we got 0.39"
October normal precipitation is 3.3" - we got 0.47"
November has been dry so far, with 0.15 predicted tonight.

[Time Zone]

Chattanooga area, 0.48" since August. Squarely in the middle of a swath of D4 exceptional drought on US Drought Monitor's maps. Scary.

[illabelle]

Chattanooga area, 0.48" since August. Squarely in the middle of a swath of D4 exceptional drought on US Drought Monitor's maps. Scary.

Scary indeed. It was just after Thanksgiving in 2016 when Gatlinburg burned. It's so dry out there. Feels just like 2016.

[JNI64]

Thread drifting here sorry :-
But.... are the Shenandoah fires contained?

[johnnybgood]

Thread drifting here sorry :-
But.... are the Shenandoah fires contained?

Four the biggest wildfires burning across the western slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains have not been contained. The largest is the Quaker Run fire in Madison County which is reportedly 40% contained
That wildfire has burned some 3,500 acres including acreage in Shenandoah National Park.

I spoke with someone from nearby Luray just this morning who mentioned the smoke is making the conditions out her backdoor as smoggy.
It's been so dry in the western parts of the state and also across the Appalachian Mountains in nearby West Virginia and beyond.

[GoldenBear]

are the Shenandoah fires contained?

Here's the horse's mouth:
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvis...nformation.htm