Wildfire update: Black Bear Fire prompts closures, Poplar Drive Fire fully contained

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Officials have closed off an area surrounding a growing wildfire in Haywood County in order to keep the public and firefighters safe.

The U.S. Forest Service says the Black Bear Fire, which is burning near Interstate 40, is 1,720 acres with 0% containment as of Sunday morning. The fire was first reported around 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at mile marker 3 of I-40, near the North Carolina/Tennessee border following a tractor-trailer wreck.

Work on containment lines is continuing Sunday, the Forest Service says, with crews taking advantage of the weather before anticipated winds Monday and rain Tuesday and Wednesday. An increase of fire activity is expected Sunday afternoon as the sun dries fuels out – active fire will be visible along I-40 and smoke will remain in the area throughout the day.

As of Nov. 19, 828 fires have burned on state and private lands statewide since Nov. 1, the N.C. Forest Service reports. On Saturday, firefighters responded to several small fires across the region, protecting more than 20 structures with an estimated total value over $100 million.

SATURDAY WILDFIRE ROUNDUP: SMOKE FROM BLACK BEAR FIRE COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY ON I-40

The area of National Forest System lands in the “Black Bear Fire Area” located on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest and Unaka Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest is closed to entry, as of Sunday. The area is closed to entering or being present in the area, including on roads or trails, so 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 Black Bear Fire. This Order is effective through December 31, 2023, or until rescinded by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.

The area is signed closed from entering or being present is further indicated on the attached map. Only National Forest System lands are impacted by this closure. On the Appalachian Ranger District, the Appalachian Trail is closed from 1-40 to Brown Gap including Groundhog Creek shelter. The closure area can be described by the following perimeter:

West of Cold Springs Creek Road (FSR148) and Browns Gap Road (FSR148A),

• - South of the Appalachian Trail, and
• - North of I-40 to the North Carolina State Line
• - On the Unaka Ranger District, the Appalachian Trail is closed from 1-40 to Brown Gap.

The closure area can be described by the following perimeter:

• - North of the Appalachian Trail
• - North of I-40 to Carmichael Tract Road (FSR225201)
• - South of Carmichael Tract Road (FSR225201) to the Tennessee State Line
• - South of Snowbird Road (FSR225202) to the Tennessee State Line, and
• - South of Brown Gap Road (FSR2250) to the Tennessee State Line

All roads and trails on the closure perimeter and within the closure area are closed:

• - Cold Springs Creek Road (FSR148)
• - Browns Gap Road (FSR148A)
• - Harmon Den Mountain Road (FSR352)
• - Groundhog Road (FSR3522)
• - Hickory Ridge Road (FSR357)
• - Skiffley Creek Road (FSR3580)
• - Chestnut Orchard Road (3580A)
• - Carmichael Tract Road (FSR225201)
• - Snowbird Road (FSR225202)
• - Appalachian Trail (TR1-08)
• - Groundhog Creek Trail (TR315), and
• - Rube Rock (TR314)

The above prohibited acts are set forth in Title 36 CFR Sections 261.53(e) Special Closures for Public Health or Safety

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e) the following persons are exempt from the above prohibitions:

1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of their official duty.

TERRAIN AND DRY CONDITIONS FUEL RAPID GROWTH OF BLACK BEAR FIRE IN HAYWOOD COUNTY, OFFICIALS SAY

Buncombe County brush fire

A brush fire broke out in the Glenn Bridge Road area of Arden Saturday afternoon, Nov. 18. An officer with Skyland Fire & Rescue said around 4:15 p.m. that the fire was under control. The North Carolina Forest Service reported the fire was about 5 acres and 100% contained as of Sunday morning.

Poplar Drive Fire - Henderson County

The Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County has reached 100% containment. The fire will continue to be monitored by N.C. Forest Service personnel. The fire footprint was 434 acres, and the cause was determined to be a debris burn.

Collett Ridge Fire - Cherokee and Clay counties

The Collett Ridge Fire, burning in Cherokee and Clay counties, is 5,505 acres and 82% contained. The Collett Ridge Fire is being managed under unified command by the U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service. Information on this fire can be found HERE. The cause of Collett Ridge was determined to be lightning.

Weather Forecast

High pressure will settle over the area on Sunday. After some morning valley fog, dry, sunny, seasonally cool weather is expected, with high temperatures of 55-65 degrees and minimum humidity of 35-45%. Winds are forecast to be light and variable, and smoke concentration may be higher Sunday due to lack of air movement. CLICK HERE for more weather updates.

Burn Ban Notice

Effective 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, a burn ban was issued for Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Catawba, Haywood, Iredell, Lincoln, Madison, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Effective 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, a burn ban was issued for Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania counties. Both bans remain in effect until further notice.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)

A “TFR” is in place on the Black Bear Fire and Collett Ridge Fire. Complete information can be found HERE. Flying drones within a TFR designated area is unlawful. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.

Air Quality

The North Carolina Air Quality Forecast Center says the Code Orange air quality alert will remain in effect Sunday, Nov. 19, due to the Black Bear Fire, near I-40 mile marker 3, in Haywood County.

According to AirNow, a partnership between multiple government agencies, this is what each category of an air quality alert means:

• Green - Good - Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• Yellow - Moderate - Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
• Orange - Unhealthy for sensitive groups - Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
• Red - Unhealthy - Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
• Purple - Very Unhealthy - Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
• Maroon - Hazardous - Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected.