Home Care In Pisgah Forest, NC

A forest fire burning 26 miles east of Asheville has continued to grow, estimated at 150-200 acres as of Dec. 1 with firefighters increasing containment to 10%, a news release from U.S. Forest Service said.

The fire is burning near U.S. 80, locally known as Buck Creek Road, in the Sunnyvale area of McDowell County. Dubbed the Locust Cove Fire No. 2, it started Nov. 29 within the fire scar of a previous fire from March, the news release said. The ignition source is unknown.

“Rain and increased humidity have kept fire activity and intensity low,” the release said. “Today, the fire is moving westward into the National Forest and firefighters are working to establish containment lines.”

On Nov. 30, firefighters worked to slow the head of the fire and conducted burnout operations. These were successful in securing the area around private homes, preventing the fire from moving onto private lands, according to the Dec. 1 release.

Last update:Western NC forest fire up to 130 acres as firefighters burn brush to save homes

More than 80 firefighters are responding to the fire, under the unified command of the U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service in close coordination with McDowell County Emergency Management. No structures have been damage or lost as of Dec. 1.

Two miles south, another fire is burning on the Grandfather Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest, which is U.S. Forest Service land. Named Clear Creak Fire, it is also burning near U.S. 80, south of Lake Tahoma in McDowell County.

Through a drone using ifrared imaging, the fire is estimated at 124 acres with 0% containment, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release. The Clear Creek Fire began on private land on Nov. 30.

Statewide burn ban rescinded:State burn bans in 30 Western North Carolina counties to expire

“Firefighting efforts are focused on structure and point protection and securing perimeters around private properties,” the release said.

About 90 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, the N.C. Forest Service, Pleasant Gardens Volunteer Fire Department and McDowell County Emergency Services are assigned to the fire.

Smoke from both the Locust Cove No. 2 Fire and the Clear Creek Fire is drifting through the area, and travelers in the U.S. 80 corridor should proceed with caution, particularly when smoke settles in the evenings and mornings, the U.S. Forest Service said.

Buncombe County lifted its burn ban on Nov. 30, and the statewide burn ban was rescinded at 5 p.m. Nov. 22 for 30 Western North Carolina counties.

There is a 70% chance of rain in the Asheville area Dec. 1, with lows in the upper 40s, according to the National Weather Service. The weekend should bring more rain, with Saturday, Dec. 2 showing a 70% chance of showers during the day and 80% chance at night. Currently, there is a 50% chance of showers on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Burn ban lifted:Buncombe County to cancel burn ban, citing light winds, Great Smokies ban lifted

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

To visit a landscape of unbelievable natural beauty, set your sights on Pisgah National Forest, Western North Carolina's 500,000-acre wonderland of waterfalls, rivers, and hundreds of miles of scenic trails. It's a destination for outdoor adventure all year round and offers up acre after acre of unforgettable views. Among its many forested acres, you'll find natural wonders such as Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, and Looking Glass Rock too. Located just a short drive from Asheville, Hendersonville, and Brevard, the park is easy to access and breathtaking to experience. Spend a day in this mountain oasis, and you'll find so much to discover.

The USDA Forest Service describes the forest as "a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes." It has a long and interesting history, as it's part of a piece of land acquired under the Weeks Act of 1911, which led to the establishment of more national forests in the U.S. According to the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, "Pisgah National Forest is named after Mt. Pisgah, a 5,000 foot high peak located at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 407, near the Cold Mountain of book and movie fame. Pisgah National Forest became the first National Forest in the eastern United States in 1916."

While natural wonders abound, humans also made history here. "It is also home of the first school of forestry in the United States, now preserved at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site, and boasts two of the first designated wilderness areas in the east," according to the Forest Service.

Some of Pisgah's biggest claims to fame are its incredible tall summits; in fact, some of the forest's peaks are the highest found anywhere east of the Mississippi River. Peaks in the forest include Mount Pisgah, Cold Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Mount Hardy, Mount Gibbes, Richland Balsam, and Roan Mountain. Mount Hardy rises over 6,000 feet in the forest, while Richland Balsam, at 6,410 feet in elevation, is the highest peak along this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Roan Mountain, another popular peak, is famous for its flowers. The mountain ridge blooms in many thousands of colorful rhododendrons each year.

This area of North Carolina is known as waterfall country, and when you visit Pisgah National Forest, you'll understand why. One of the most popular is Looking Glass Falls, which is located along U.S. 276 not far from the small town of Brevard. According to the Forest Service, "The name 'Looking Glass' comes from Looking Glass Rock, where water freezes on its sides in the winter and then glistens in the sunlight like a mirror or looking glass. Looking Glass Creek, which flows past the rock, is also named for the impressive natural structure."

Just a short drive from Looking Glass Falls along U.S. 276 lies a cascade that forms a natural water slide and has been providing family fun for ages. Sliding Rock, as it has long been known, is a busy spot during the summer months, when towel-toting families brave the cold water to have their turn on the rock slide. According to the Forest Service, "Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide that ends in an eight-foot-deep pool of water, with two observation platforms operated by Adventure Pisgah. The area is open 365 days a year, weather and water levels permitting."

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 316.3-317 lies Linville Gorge and Falls, one of the most popular attractions in the area. They make up the deepest gorge in the eastern United States. According to the Blue Ride Parkway Association, "Trails near the Linville Falls Visitor Center lead to the breathtaking three-tiered Linville Falls over the Linville Gorge via both strenuous and moderate hikes. The steep-walled Gorge is known as the 'Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.'"

Trails and scenic routes crisscross the forest. Some lead up to Looking Glass Rock, a landmark in the forest that rises in the trees like the face of a moon. It's a popular spot for hiking as well as rock climbing, as adventurers bring their gear and try their hand at scrambling up the rocky outcropping. Whether the trails lead to rushing waterways, crashing waterfalls, scenic overlooks, or carpets of flowers, each of the routes in Pisgah National Forest has a marvel to share with you. Popular hiking trails in the area include Looking Glass Rock Trail, Catawba Falls Trail, Mount Mitchell Trail, and Graveyard Fields Trail, among many others. You can find maps of area trails available to download from the Forest Service.

Today, Pisgah National Forest is a destination for outdoor recreation, including cycling, climbing, caving, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and camping. There's adventure aplenty, but even just a short drive through the forest reveals stunning overlooks, verdant hardwood forests, and meandering waterways. Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway wind through stretches of the forest and open up to sudden and dramatic overlooks, so keep a camera handy.

Another popular drive is the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 276), which connects visitors to several popular attractions including Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, and Sliding Rock, the natural water slide that's a can't-miss summertime marvel.

Don't you think that Pisgah National Forest, a gold mine of gorgeous natural features just waiting to be discovered, is worth a trip? North Carolina's mountains are calling—won't you visit?

JUNE 25, 2023 - The U.S. Forest Service says its proposed increased fee collections "would help to improve visitor experiences and enables the Forest Service to be more strategic in planning and developing a sustainable recreation program." (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to change fees at two recreation areas in Western North Carolina and other national forests in the state.

A press release from the Forest Service says increased fee collections "would help to improve visitor experiences and enables the Forest Service to be more strategic in planning and developing a sustainable recreation program."

Improvements would include site and trail maintenance at a time when the Forest Service says there has been an increase in use and operating costs.

"Under the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, up to 95 percent of fees collected at recreation sites may be used locally to operate, maintain, and improve these areas, so fee increases will translate directly to improved facilities and trails across the forest," the Forest Service says.

GSMNP'S PARK IT FORWARD PROGRAM RAKES IN ABOUT $2.4 MILLION IN FIRST FEW MONTHS

The following fee changes have been proposed for each national forest in North Carolina:

Day Use Areas

Croatan National Forest

*Fees waived for visitors that have paid for a campsite at Cedar Point or Flanners Beach Campgrounds during their duration of stay

Group Camp

Uwharrie National Forest

Mountain Bike and Horse Trail Systems**

Nantahala National Forest

Pisgah National Forest

Uwharrie National Forest

**These fees would only apply to mountain bike and equestrian use

***The Pisgah Complex trail system consists of the Bent Creek, North Mills River, South Mills River, and 276 Corridor areas on the Pisgah Ranger District

2019 Recreation Fee Proposal

Additionally, the following fee proposals went through the required public participation process in 2019 and are awaiting review by the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee:

*As proposed, these fees would be phased-in over a two-year period

SUMMERTIME MEMORIES: ASHEVILLE AREA OFFERS FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKES, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES FOR ALL AGES

Hot to Get Involved

The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes by Aug. 22, 2023. To provide comments about this fee proposal for the RRAC to consider, comment online at the Recreation Fee Proposal Mapping Tool or contact Logan Free at 828-257-4256, by email at [email protected], or by mail at:

ATTN: Recreation Fee Proposals

160A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801

Some bikers who were in Pisgah National Forest on Sunday said they understand the proposals for trail maintenance.

“Initially I was kind of bummed out to hear that but I come to Pisgah National Forest quite a bit and it’s really such a gift," Kersten Walser told News 13. "So for $30, if it’ll help maintain it and keep it more accessible for people, I'm all on board for that."

"If it's $30 a year, that’s pretty manageable," Tracy George said. "Maybe not affordable for everyone so that might have to be taken into consideration, but 30 bucks a year seems pretty doable.”

ASHEVILLE — Following a weekend of humid weather with some showers, two fires burning in the McDowell County area of Pisgah National Forest have remained around the same size, while firefighters have made strides in containing the fires.

U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Jenifer Bunty told the Citizen Times Dec. 4 that the Locust Cove Fire No. 2, burning in the Sunnyvale area of McDowell County, has remained at 165 acres since Dec. 2. Containment on the fire increased to 45%, up from 25% on Dec. 2.

During this phase of operations, firefighters are working on containment lines along the ridgeline above Clear Creek Road, according to Bunty. The fire started Nov. 29 within the fire scar of a previous fire from March, and the ignition source is unknown.

Last update:WNC wildfire update: What to know about fires in McDowell and Haywood counties

Similarly, Clear Creek Fire near N.C. 80, south of Lake Tahoma in McDowell County, remains around 126 acres, Bunty said. Containment also went up about 20% since Dec. 2, currently sitting at 60%.

“They’re sort of finalizing that direct line on the east side of the fire today,” Bunty said. “They did fly a drone and got some infrared imaging that said there is some heat on the interior of that fire. They think it’s mostly from those really heavy fuels like big, downed logs and tree stumps that are smoldering.”

No structures have been threatened or damaged by either fire, Bunty said, and there have been no injuries reported. There are no current closures in place. The Clear Creek Fire began on private land on Nov. 30.

Burn ban canceled:Buncombe County to cancel burn ban, citing light winds, Great Smokies ban lifted

These fires are being fought under a unified command, with 61 firefighters assigned to the Clear Creek Fire and 40 on the Locust Cove No. 2 Fire.

“We are hoping to get a little bit more rain here as we get into the end of the week, with a cold front coming in,” Bunty said.

Black Bear Fire

While most of the larger fires that raged throughout Western North Carolina this fall have abated, the Black Bear Fire in the Haywood County region of Pisgah National Forest has grown 120 acres since Dec. 2 to about 2,008 acres. Containment remains at 90%, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.

“Crews today are focused on cold trailing fire lines, working to extinguish any burning or smoldering materials near the fire’s edge,” the release said. “Treating those hotspots reduces the threat of fire crossing containment lines.”

About 36 firefighters are currently responding to the fire, according to the forest service.

Statewide burn ban rescinded:State burn bans in 30 Western North Carolina counties to expire

While a cold front arriving midweek may bring some rain to the fire area, this stretch of fire did not receive as much precipitation over the weekend as surrounding areas, the release said. Ridgetops remain particularly dry, with heavy fuels inside the fire continuing to hold heat. These fuels may spread the fire if pushed by strong winds, according to the release.

“Forest visitors, hikers on nearby sections of the Appalachian Trail, and anyone traveling through the I-40 corridor should proceed with caution,” the forest service said. “Smoke may drift throughout the area and may affect travel and nearby communities in North Carolina and Tennessee.”

The section of the Appalachian Trail between I-40 and Brown Gap Road remains closed, as well as Brown Gap Road.

Buncombe County lifted its burn ban on Nov. 30, and the statewide burn ban was rescinded at 5 p.m. Nov. 22 for 30 Western North Carolina counties.

For fire updates, visit ncforestservice.gov/fire_control/sit_report.htm or follow the N.C. Forest Service on Facebook at facebook.com/NCForestService.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

ASHEVILLE — Recent rainfall across two prominent fires in Western North Carolina has dampened the flames, causing increased containment and no additional growth, officials say.

The Black Bear Fire in the Haywood County area of Pisgah National Forest is showing minimal fire activity at 1,888 acres Nov. 22, the same size as the previous day. Rain passing over the region Nov. 21 moderated the fire’s activity, making surface fuels not conducive for active fire spread, the U.S. Forest Service said in a news release.

Crews working the fire made strides in containment, which is up to 79% from 42% the previous day. The cause of the fire was officially changed to “human caused” on Nov. 21, according to spokesperson Meredith Hollowell with the Southern Area Incident Management Blue Team.

“Firefighters will monitor fire behavior and patrol the fire area for potential hot spots,” the release said. “Scattered heavy fuels, such as log ends, snags, and stump holes, will retain heat and may produce smoke on the interior of the fire perimeter.”

Drivers on Interstate 40 may see smoke near the fire and impacts on travel are expected, the Forest Service said.

“Cloudy skies and cool temperatures are expected for the fire area on Wednesday,” the release said. “Clear skies are expected for Thursday with a cold front moving through the region on Friday keeping the area cloudy through the weekend.”

No rain is expected for the coming week beyond a "very, very small system" on Nov. 24, National Weather Service meteorologist Christian Patterson told the Citizen Times Nov. 22. Moreover, no systems are currently looking to bring rain beyond the National Weather Service's seven-day forecast.

Last update:Pisgah National Forest fire continues to grow as rain falls on WNC; what's the forecast?

The Collett Ridge Fire in the Cherokee and Macon county portions of the Nantahala National Forest has stayed put at 5,505 for multiple days, while firefighters have increased containment to 100%. The fire first sparked from a lightning strike on Oct. 23, and no structures have been damaged or threatened by its burning.

While there may be smoke in the fire area due to heavier, smoldering fuels such as logs or stumps, not much fire activity is expected.

“(The fire) received 1.25 inches of rain resulting in minimal fire activity, no additional growth, and wetting of light fuels such as leaf litter, which was the primary fuel source for the fire,” the release said.

WNC drought worsens:'Extreme drought' conditions spread to 4 more WNC counties, even after recent rainfall

No additional growth is expected for either the Black Bear Fire or the Collett Ridge Fire at this time, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release. With increases in wildfire containment, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture has rescinded burn bans for 30 WNC counties, effective 5 p.m. Nov. 22.

The U.S. Forest Service has also lifted fire restrictions in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, effective immediately.

"Forest visitors may now have campfires at trail shelters and outside of developed recreation areas," the forest service said in a news release. Officials ask visitors to remain responsible as "the area is still considered to be in a drought, with many areas 10-15 inches below average for rainfall."

“As of yesterday, there were almost 500 personnel assigned to both fires and the National Forests in North Carolina to support the current fires and any potential new fire starts,” spokesperson Adrienne Rubiaco with the U.S. Forest Service told the Citizen Times Nov. 22.

Area closures around the Black Bear Fire are still in place, though fire officials will reassess closures as fire conditions continue to moderate. Check current road conditions at drivenc.gov. Current closures include:

Burn bans end:Burn bans in 30 Western North Carolina counties to expire, including Buncombe, Henderson,

Rich Mountain Fire

While hurricane-force gusts whipped through the mountains the night of Nov. 20, a wildfire broke out Monday evening near Rich Mountain Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, according to park officials. Firefighters stayed at the scene overnight and mapped the fire, which was estimated to be less 2 two acres Nov. 20.

An initial investigation shows two fires were started in the Rich Mountain area Nov. 20 by an unknown arsonist while the area was under high wind conditions, a red flag warning and a park-wide burn ban, the National Park Service said in a news release.

“Intentionally setting fires in the park, except in designated rings or picnic areas, is always illegal and is extremely dangerous, especially under the extreme weather conditions we saw this week,” Boone Vandzura, chief ranger of resource and visitor protection, said in the release. “We are asking visitors and neighbors for help as we work to identify those responsible for this suspected arson.”

A reward is available for validated tips which can be sent by calling or texting the NPS-wide tip line at 888-653-0009, filling out an online form at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, or emailing [email protected] Around 2 a.m. Nov. 21, winds blowing over the area from the south stoked the fire, causing it to grow to about 6 acres. The wildfire remains the same size Nov. 22, and firefighters secured 100% containment today.

“We're continuing to mop up and will monitor the fire through the weekend,” Management Assistant Katie Liming told the Citizen Times Nov. 22. “Blount County lifted the previous evacuation and there are no evacuations related to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in place.”

Great Smokies weather closures:Update: Great Smoky Mountains National Park roads start to reopen; woman sets 2 fires

No structures are currently threatened by the fire, and the cause is under investigation. About 31 personnel are assigned to the Rich Mountain Fire, including National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service firefighters, Liming said.

The Great Smoky Mountains is currently under a burn ban, prohibiting all campfires and charcoal use until further notice.

For fire updates, visit ncforestservice.gov/fire_control/sit_report.htm or follow the N.C. Forest Service on Facebook at facebook.com/NCForestService.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober