Air quality alert, fire burn in effect
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Wildfires are causing conditions to be hazy and smoky in Bryson City
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Swain County is experiencing smoke and haze from area wildfires that have been spurred by a drought.
A wildfire deemed Collett Ridge Fire, four miles outside of Andrews, has grown significantly in the past few days. This morning, Nov. 6, the Forest Service reported the fire had grown to cover 2,158 acres and was still zero percent contained. At this time, no structures have been threatened.
The fire has grown significantly since it was first reported Oct. 23 in a remote, rugged area of the forest. Mid-week last week it remained under 100 acres, but conditions over the past few days caused it to spread significantly.
Dry weather conditions are forecast to continue into the weekend, when there is a small chance of light rain and showers.
Another small fire was reported in Jackson County in the Savannah Fire District and has burned approximately 125 acres, according to the NC Forest Service. This fire is repotred to be 50% contained.
In Henderson County, the Poplar Drive Fire has been far more damaging and remains at over 400 acres. The Forest Service reported two houses, an outbuilding an uninhabited cabin have been destroyed and 34 families have been evacuated in the blaze.
The NC Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code Health Advisory for the far-western counties of North Carolina including Swain for elevations above 4,000 feet for fine particulates due to the ongoing fire. People who have asthma or other respiratory diseases should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
On Sunday night, the Forest Service issued a burn ban for much of Western North Carolina, including Swain County.