Wildfire Burning Near Old Fort, NC

Posted by Jeff on Aug 1, 2015 @ 7:32 pm in Conservation | 0 comments | Last modified: August 17, 2015

NEBO, N.C., August 1, 2015 – The Wolf Creek wildfire is burning on the Pisgah National Forest in the Heartbreak Ridge and Jarrett Creek area of McDowell County northwest of Old Fort, NC. The wildfire, reported the evening of July 31st, is moving slowly and is estimated at twenty-five acres and is twenty percent contained.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) are managing the fire jointly with resources from both agencies and support from McDowell County Emergency Management Services. 35 firefighters, a dozer, two engines, and a NCFS plane and helicopter are assigned to the incident. Fire line construction is occurring on the west side of the fire to reduce the threat to private property in the Mill Creek area.

To protect public safety the Heartbreak Ridge Trail (208) and Star Gap Trail (209), also known as Jarrett Creek trail, are temporarily closed to public use and will be in effect until further notice. Forest Service officials are asking the public to avoid this area for their own safety and the safety of emergency response personnel on scene. Members of the public near the communities of Old Fort and those traveling along Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 70 can expect to see smoke this weekend, with heaviest smoke likely to occur in the afternoons when temperatures are high and humidity low.

Minimizing risk for firefighters, local communities, and the public are primary objectives. The cause of the fire is still under investigation though firefighters believe ignition was likely caused by lightening from recent strong thunder storms.

Update August 2, 2015 @ 1:00 PM: Firefighters continue establishing containment lines on the Wolf Creek wildfire burning on the Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County. The fire is located northwest of Old Fort, NC in steep terrain between Heartbreak Ridge and Jarrett Creek. The 35 acre wildfire, reported the evening of July 31st, remains 20 percent contained.

To reduce the threat to private property in the Mill Creek Area firefighters are building containment line on the south and west side of the fire. Crews are also improving the fire line along Jarrett Creek. Burnout operations to secure the fire line could begin as early as Monday or whenever weather conditions are favorable to reduce impacts to local communities.

With low humidity and no chance of rain forecasted over the next several days, officials expect the fire to continue to grow within containment lines. Members of the public near the communities of Old Fort and those traveling along Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 70 can expect to see smoke this weekend, with heaviest smoke likely to occur in the afternoons when temperatures are high and humidity low.

Heartbreak Ridge Trail (208) and Star Gap Trail (209) remain closed to public use and will be in effect until further notice. Jarret Creek Road (FS4030) is also closed to public use. Forest Service officials are asking the public to avoid this area for their own safety and the safety of emergency response personnel on scene.

Update August 3, 2015 @ 4:00 PM: Firefighters are working to contain the Wolf Creek wildfire burning on the Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County. With dry conditions and low humidity, the fire grew Sunday afternoon and Monday morning and is now estimated at 75 acres and 30 percent contained. The Wolf Creek fire is located northwest of Old Fort, NC in steep terrain between Heartbreak Ridge and Jarrett Creek.

Firefighters completed containment lines on the south and west sides of the fire and are currently conducting burn-out operations. Crews are using low-intensity fire within the containment lines to reduce fuels in between the fire lines and the wildfire edge. Firefighters are also continuing to monitor the fire line along Jarrett Creek.

Members of the public can expect to see increased smoke today in the Old Fort area and along Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 70. Travelers along I-40 between Ridgecrest and Marion, NC should use caution as smoke may settle along the highway this evening. The NCDOT has installed signs on I-40 westbound near Exit 81 and eastbound near Exit 66 warning travelers of the potential for smoke. With no significant rain forecasted over the next several days, officials expect the fire to continue to grow within containment lines.

Heartbreak Ridge Trail (208) and Star Gap Trail (209) remain closed to public use and will be in effect until further notice. Jarret Creek Road (FS4030) is also closed to public use. Forest Service officials are asking the public to avoid this area for their own safety and the safety of emergency response personnel on scene.

Update August 5, 2015 @ 11:00 AM: High winds hampered firefighting efforts yesterday on the Wolf Creek wildfire burning on the Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County. Passing isolated storms created windy conditions without any relief of rain on the fire, causing the fire to grow to 200 acres.

The Wolf Creek fire is located northwest of Old Fort, NC in steep terrain between Heartbreak Ridge and Jarrett Creek. Firefighters have completed containment lines around the fire and are continuing burn-out operations today.

Heartbreak Ridge Trail (208) and Star Gap Trail (209) remain closed to public use and will be in effect until further notice. Jarret Creek Road (FS4030) is also closed to public use.

Update August 6, 2015 @ 3:30 PM: Firefighters continue to make progress on the Wolf Creek wildfire burning on the Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County. The fire is now at 230 acres and is 40% contained. Fire activity has slowed as higher humidity moved back into the area today.

Update August 10, 2015 @ 1:30 PM: Rainfall over the weekend helped firefighters continue to make progress on the Wolf Creek wildfire burning on the Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County. The fire is now at 305 acres and is 60% contained.

The Wolf Creek fire is located northwest of Old Fort, NC in steep terrain between Heartbreak Ridge and Jarrett Creek. Firefighters are continuing mop up operations to put out remaining hot-spots near fire lines and beginning work on fire line repair.

Members of the public may continue to see smoke in the Old Fort area and along Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 70. Travelers along I-40 between Ridgecrest and Marion, NC should use caution as smoke may settle along the highway in the evenings.

As a reminder, Jarret Creek Road (FS4030) remains closed to public use. Forest Service officials are asking the public to avoid this area for their own safety and the safety of emergency response personnel on scene. Heartbreak Ridge Trail (208) and Star Gap Trail (209) also remain closed to public use until further notice.

Update August 12, 2015 @ 12:30 PM: Current Status: The Southern Area Gold Team and the North Carolina Forest Service are managing the Bald Knob and Wolf Creek Fires in unified command. The Bald Knob Fire (20% containment, started July 17) and Wolf Creek Fire (60% containment, started July 31) were caused by lightning on the Pisgah National Forest.

Community Events: A community meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Woodlawn Baptist Church on Thursday, August 13, 2015. The public can expect to receive updated information about the fires.

Planned Events: Both fires are being managed by utilizing a “confine and contain” strategy to manage the forest for multiple objectives. On the Wolf Creek Fire, crews will monitor and patrol containment lines for heat. Limited access, rough terrain and heavy vegetation make direct access unviable for firefighters on the Bald Knob Fire. Firefighter crews continue to construct and enforce fire containment lines using dozers and hand crews and will be scouting potential fire dozer lines between the 105 Road and Paddy Creek in the Linville Gorge area and in the North Cove community. Crews continue to coordinate supply needs for values at risk for both fires.

Fire Weather: A high pressure system will bring much drier and slightly cooler conditions to the fires on Wednesday. There is little chance of rain for the next few days. Fire activity is anticipated to increase, particularly over the Bald Knob Fire.

Air Quality: The drier weather and lower relative humidity will cause an increase in smoke production. Air quality on Wednesday will remain good; air quality for Thursday will remain good in Marion and Nebo; while, Old Fort and the Lake James Area may see moderate levels.

Resources Bald Knob Fire Wolf Creek Fire
Acres 1,019 305
Percent Contained 20% 60%
Total Firefighters 212 35
Dozers 5 1
Engines 5 1
Helicopter 3 0

Closures & Restrictions: A temporary closure of a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail between the footbridge over the North Fork of the Catawba River and Dobson Knob Road (Forest Service Road 106) remains in place.
Heartbreak Ridge Trail (208) and Star Gap Trail (209) remain closed to public use and will be in effect until further notice. Jarrett Creek Road (FS4030) is also closed to public use. Forest Service officials are asking the public to avoid this area for their own safety and the safety of emergency response personnel on scene.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place until August 31st: http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_5_0361.html

Information: Fire officials will continue to update the fire information boards at the Woodlawn Roadside Park, Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department, Grandfather Ranger District office in Nebo and Black Bear Access area on Lake James. Information and photos are also available on the sites listed at the top of this update.

Cooperating agencies include the North Carolina Forest Service, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, McDowell County Emergency Management, and The Nature Conservancy.

Update August 17, 2015 @ 11:30 AM: Current Status: Management of the fires will transfer back to the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest on Tuesday, August 18. The fires are currently being managed in unified command between the Southern Area Gold Team and the North Carolina Forest Service. Both the Bald Knob Fire (80% containment) and the Wolf Creek Fire (90% containment) are on the Pisgah National Forest. Unless there is a change in status of the fires, this is anticipated to be the last daily fire update.

Planned Events: Crews will continue to patrol and mop up containment lines on the Bald Knob Fire and ensure snags are mitigated for firefighter safety. Crews continue to rehabilitate fire lines for erosion control. In addition, the Wolf Creek Fire will continue to be monitored by aerial resources.

Fire Weather: A weak cold front will move into the fire area Monday, bringing and increased chance of showers on Monday. Beginning Tuesday, widespread showers and thunderstorms are anticipated each day for the rest of the week.

Air Quality: The Bald Knob Fire will have minimal smoke production Monday with continual smoldering through Tuesday. Highest smoke concentrations will stay close to the fire. Anticipate light smoke and haze to drift east and north starting early afternoon, then downslope early evening and throughout the night.

The Wolf Creek Fire continues to smolder producing slight smoke. Higher relative humidity and light winds will limit smoke production. Air quality will remain good,with light hazefor the town of Old Fort. Over the next few days rain is forecasted. Light winds and low mixing heights with poor to fair ventilation is expected. Therefore, smoke will remain near the fire source with some downslope movement.

Resources Bald Knob Fire Wolf Creek Fire
Start Date July 17 July 31
Acres 1,268 305
Percent Contained 80% 90%
Total Firefighters 160 0
Dozers 1 0
Engines 4 0
Helicopter 1 0

Closures & Restrictions: A temporary closure of a section of the Mountains to Sea Trailbetween the footbridge over the North Fork of the Catawba River and Dobson Knob Road (Forest Service Road 106) remains in place.
Heartbreak Ridge Trail (208) and Star Gap Trail (209) remain closed to public use and will be in effect until further notice. Jarrett Creek Road (FS4030) is also closed to public use. Forest Service officials are asking the public to avoid this area for their own safety and the safety of emergency response personnel on scene.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been modified and is in place through 6:00 p.m., August 17th.

Information: Fire officials will no longer post on area information boards. Information and photos are also available on the sites listed at the top of this update.

Cooperating agencies include the North Carolina Forest Service, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, McDowell County Emergency Management, and The Nature Conservancy.