Lake Hiwassee
The Nantahala National Forest conducted prescribed burns Thursday and Friday, including in the Ramsey Bluff area and near the Panther Top lookout in Cherokee County.
The Cherokee County burn operations took place west of Murphy on the south side of Hiwassee Lake near the Panther Top Lookout and on the north side of Hiwassee Lake, south of Grape Creek in the Ramsey Bend area.
In the Ramsey Bluff area, crews conducted a 445-acre prescribed burn using a combination of aerial and hand ignition to create a low-intensity burn that reduced fuel buildup, while improving plant and animal habitat, the Forest Service said in a release.
The Nantahala National Forest also conducted a 2,000-acre prescribed burn Thursday in Graham County on the south side of Fontana Lake, north of N.C. 28 between Stecoah and Almond. Operations continued through the weekend.
“We use prescribed fires to help improve plant and animal habitat and reduce overgrown vegetation, protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires,” the Forest Service said.
Another burn in the region included Yellow Creek in Graham County, affecting a 1,297-acre area north of Details: Visit inciweb.wildfire.gov.