Andrews – The Collett Ridge Fire, the largest active woodland fire in western North Carolina for most of the past three weeks, is taking second stage to other fires in the region.
Fire swept through much of downtown Blue Ridge, Ga., on Saturday, destroying several buildings. Meanwhile, a growing blaze named the Black Bear Fire in Haywood County along Interstate 40 has refocused firefighter resources.
The Collett Ridge Fire is approaching 5,505 acres
with about 80 percent containment, according to officials. Isolated flare-ups have kept firefighters on guard along the northwest flank in around McClelland Creek Road and Sniders Creek Road, although intermittent rain and cooler weather have helped firefighters.
Two hand crews totaling 40 firefighters were assigned to the blaze along with two bulldozers and two helicopters.
Black Bear Fire
The Black Bear fire broke out on Thursday and grew from less than 40 acres to more than 1,720 acres as of Sunday with zero percent containment and 193 personnel assigned.
Primary containment lines include Interstate 40 on the southwest, the Appalachian Trail from I-40 to Groundhog Creek Shelter along the north, and Forest Road 3580 on the east south to I-40.
Wet weather over the weekend gave firefighters an opportunity to put containment lines in place, as well as for fire managers to work with local county, state and federal agencies to plan for drier conditions conducive to fire spread earlier this week. The state is maintaining a burn ban for 30 western counties including Cherokee until further notice.
With deer season beginning, fire officials are cautioning hunters to be especially careful to avoid fire crews in western North Carolina. Fire officials offered the following advisories:
- Before pulling the trigger, know what is behind your target. Fire crews may be working in the area.
- Even if the fires are not actively burning, there are still hot spots and potential for re-burn that could be dangerous to anyone within the interior of a burned area.
- New fire-lines may be popular ways to walk into hunting spots, but also heavy equipment may be working along these fire-lines. Avoid approaching heavy equipment while it is working because the operator may not see you.
- Trees have been weakened by the fire and could fall, so be cautious around snags and damaged trees.
Fire officials also issued an emergency closure notice in the Black Bear Fire area.
The area of National Forest System lands in the Black Bear Fire are on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest and Unaka Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest, which are closed to entry.
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. That blaze started Nov. 16, resulting from a traffic accident on Interstate 40 in North Carolina near the Tennessee border.
This order is effective through Dec. 31 or until rescinded by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first. Only National Forest System lands are affected by the closure. On the Appalachian Ranger District, the Appalachian Trail is closed from I-40 to Brown Gap including Groundhog Creek shelter.
Blue Ridge, Ga.
The Fannin County (Ga.) Emergency Management Agency reported a structure fire at Danielle’s Cafe shortly after 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Several businesses were destroyed but firefighters saved three businesses and three homes directly exposed to the initial fire.
Six engines, one ladder truck, an air and light unit, a tanker and more than 40 personnel responded from Fannin County. A ladder and additional units from Union County and Gilmer County, Ga., were also sent from a mutual aid request.