Wildfire burning near Grandfather Mountain grows to 700 acres

View The Original Article Here

The fire is burning in the Wilson Creek watershed on the US Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District in Avery County, NC.

LINVILLE, N.C. — A fire first reported on Christmas Eve that burned on the slopes of Grandfather Mountain in Avery County has grown to 700 acres, the United States Forest Service said Tuesday.

As firefighters work to build a perimeter within the protected area, the fire is expected to slowly grow in size. Some of the additional acreage reported overnight was also attributed to “improved mapping of the fire perimeter.”

“Firefighting efforts thus far have focused on securing the fireline on the northwest side of the fire to protect private property near the Roseboro community,” the Forest Service said in a statement Tuesday. “Fire managers are monitoring the fire as it backs down to Lost Cove Creek and Gragg Prong, which will provide containment lines to the south and east.”

The fire Tuesday was backing downhill from Timer Ridge to the south and east. The fire area remains 20% contained. 

“The fire is expected to continue to grow within the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area until significant rain is received,” the Forest Service statement explained.
“No homes or structures are threatened.”

Higher humidity levels have helped “moderated fire behavior,” which has been burning through the dry, leaf litter.

Both North Carolina and South Carolina remain in drought conditions because of a rainfall deficit. Despite forecast rainfall totals between one and three inches this week in North Carolina, it will not be enough to make up the region’s rainfall deficit.

RELATED: Minimal changes to the latest drought monitor

While a statewide burn ban has since been lifted since a large fire burned earlier this month on Pilot Mountain, brush conditions remain dry.

RELATED: ‘We can bounce back from this,’ Gov. Roy Cooper visits Pilot Mountain to evaluate wildfire damage

The cause of the fire remains under investigation but U.S. Forest Service officials believe it to be caused by human activity. 

Around 20 firefighters from the US Forest Service are battling the fire assisted with local crews from departments including Collettsville and Lineville.

People are asked to avoid the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area until the fire is fully contained. 

The following trails remain closed due to the fire:

  • Timber Ridge Trail (TR #261)
  • Lost Cove Loop Trail (TR #262) 
  • Huntfish Falls Trail (TR #263)
  • Darkside Cliffs Trail (TR #272)
  • The Mountains to Sea Trail along Gragg Prong between Roseboro and Pineola Roads.

“This fire is in a really remote area,” Lisa Jennings, public information officer of US Forest Service, told WCNC Charlotte Sunday night. “So we’re expecting that it will increase in size within the containment area until we get a significant rainfall. But the important thing is that our firefighters have protected any homes and structures and so none of that is at risk anymore. It’s just kind of burning in the forest.”

Trail closures are in place as firefighters respond to the Lost Cove Fire burning in the Wilson Creek area on the…

Posted by U.S. Forest Service – National Forests in North Carolina on Sunday, December 26, 2021

A photo submitted by WCNC Charlotte viewer Kyle Kitchin to the WCNC Charlotte app showed the fire burning in the Harpers Creek Wilderness Area from his perspective atop Grandfather Mountain from the weekend.

For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app.  

A flight-tracking website showed officials using an aircraft to obtain aerial views of the fire inside Pisgah National Forest.

For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app.  

The Linville Fire Department is one of the agencies that has assisted the US Forest Service.

“We had crews in the area all night on standby to protect structures,” the department said on social media over the weekend. “The fire has continued to spread and my understanding is more aircraft will be working today to try to contain the fire.”

 đŸŒŠī¸ If you like weather, join Brad Panovich and the WCNC Charlotte First Warn Weather Team on their YouTube channel, Weather IQ. đŸŽĨ

Smoke from the fire burning near Grandfather Mountain could impact air quality in the area.