Collett Ridge Fire 5,335 acres

Jessica Webb

editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com

Air quality has returned for Swain County, but firefighters are still fighting the Collett Ridge fire outside Andrews in Cherokee and Clay Counties en masse as the blaze has grown in its third week to cover 5,335 acres.

The good news is some rain combined with cooling temperatures and increased humidity this past weekend helped increase containment. On Wednesday morning, the North Carolina Forest Service reported containment was at 79 percent. The weather is forecast to continue to be beneficial, with a storm system on Wednesday and temperatures in the 50s. Humidity levels are still low, however, at just 30%.

“Where a heat source is present, surface fuels have become dry enough to allow limited fire spread. The primary fire behavior characteristic continues to be isolated smoldering,” stated the press release. “Smoldering leaf litter may kindle to flame with a little wind and/or sunshine, and burning snags may fall into fresh fuels, such as newly fallen leaves. Heavy fuel concentrations will retain heat and serve as future heat sources. Areas of isolated smoldering, primarily in heavy woody fuels, such as log ends and snags will continue until a season-ending rain event occurs.”

As of Wednesday, 268 personnel were assigned to work the fires. Resources assigned to the fire include four 20-person hand crews, 19 Engines 2 dozers, and 1 water tenders. Aerial resources include two helicopters.

Fire activity is minimal, according to the daily report, as “firefighters continue to perform mop-up operations, extinguishing any lingering hotspots, as needed. Crews hold and improve containment and completed fireline.”

Crews are conducting fuel reduction activities in nearby areas with residences, and some areas in the forest are closed due to increased fire activity and suppression operations.

There is also a temporary flight restriction in the area of the fire as aerial crews respond to the fires.

Burn bans are still in effect for most Western North Carolina counties until further notice, including in Swain County, where any outdoor burning is currently banned due to fire risk.

Fire restrictions in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are still in effect, as are restrictions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Other fires

There have been 667 fires that have burned on state and private lands statewide since Nov. 1, according to the North Carolina Forest Service Region Three fire update released Wednesday.

The Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County was reported as now 95% contained and remains 434 acres as of Wednesday morning with firefighters working on continued fire line reinforcement and repair needs from heavy equipment affecting the landscape. One home, two cabins, one uninhabitable mobile home, one uninhabitable cabin and two outbuildings were destroyed early on in the fire that started early last week. One home was damaged. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Alum Knob Fire in Madison County was 36 acres as of Wednesday and 90% contained. Firefighters continue to mopup smoldering areas in the fire footprint and reinforce containment lines.

The Elk Creek, Tripplett, and Branch fires are currently being mopped up by firefighters. Elk Creek Fire in Watauga started Nov. 8 and is 225 acres and remains 90% contained with some minimal smoldering in the interior of the fire footprint.

For fire updates, visit https://www.ncforestservice.gov/fire_control/sit_report.htm  or follow the N.C. Forest Service on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NCForestService.