State and federal firefighters are keeping watch over a 90-acre woods fire in steep, rugged terrain southeast of town.
The fire has been named the Collett Ridge Fire and is believed to have been started by a lightning strike in woods near Collett Creek late Oct. 21 or early Oct. 22.
The slow-moving fire let out a single plume of smoke that was visible for miles by late Oct. 23 and was reported to fire agencies. The fire is within the Nantahala National Forest.
By the morning of Oct. 24, just over a week after it started, the fire had burned 90 acres, said Adrianne Rubiaco, fire information officer for the Collett Ridge Fire.
Fire agencies report zero percent containment, although the fire area is surrounded by roads, trails, creeks and areas subject to recent control burns. Firefighters don’t expect the fire to threaten any inhabited structures.
Later that day, 54 personnel were assigned to the blaze, including five engines, two helicopters, one air attack platform, a 20-person hand crew and support personnel.
The Collett Ridge Fire continued to expand west toward Flat Branch and Collett Creek early this week. Fire behavior remained minimal with some smoldering and creeping. Smoke was visible along U.S. 19/129 due to the dry fuels of leaf litter on the ground.
Fire crews completed a contingency line from Lords Way toward Smith Branch. A contingency line is used to back up primary lines to increase probability of fire containment, decrease fire losses and improve firefighter safety.
No aerial firefighting support was needed. Engine crews continued structure prep within communities by clearing leaf debris from around the structures and cutting back overhanging tree branches.
On Monday, firefighters continued with structure prep in nearby communities by constructing dozer and hand lines around homes and buildings. Crews continued to strengthen completed containment lines by clearing all leaf litter from the lines. During this time of year as the leaves continue to fall, a containment line can become covered with leaves in a matter of hours in some places, Rubiaco said.
There are no trail, road or area closures at this time. However, the public should avoid the area so fire crews and resources can work safely. Flight restrictions are in place around the fire area as well.
Weather has been relatively mild, with conditions this week expected to be mostly cloudy, cooler with a chance of showers.
Rubiaco said firefighters are looking to beyond this week’s cooler, moist weather, when a warm front arrives later this week. Firefighters are wary of warm, dry and breezy weather, which can help a fire grow rapidly.
Rubiaco said ruggedness of the area of the fire puts firefighters at risk. Should the fire escalate and overrun fire lines, escape for firefighters would be difficult. Also, if firefighters are injured, getting help to them and evacuating them could be challenging given the terrain.