Efforts to contain several wildfires burning in Western North Carolina are slowly paying off, with two of the three major fires 50% contained or more.
News releases from the U.S. Forest Service's NC Facebook page and the Swain County Emergency Management Facebook page provided recent updates on containment efforts for the fires, which are burning in McDowell County, Swain County and Nantahala National Forest.
Here's what we know about the Bee Rock Creek, Haoe Lead and Sam Davis Road fires as of the morning of April 21.
Western North Carolina wildfires
Three large wildfires are currently burning in WNC:
North Carolina wildfire map
See our interactive wildfire map for WNC and the region. It is updated hourly and provides information on the fires.
Bee Rock Creek Fire update; McDowell County, NC wildfires
An April 22 update on the Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County informed the public that, while the fire has grown to 2,085 acres, containment has also increased to 50%. The east and west sides of the fire remain uncontained, but firefighters found little to no heat near fire lines with the use of drones. Crews also worked to repair areas disturbed by suppression activities.
The fire area is predicted to receive about a third of an inch of rain today, and nearly all of the personnel assigned to the fire will demobilize to return home or to other incidents.
The area where the Bee Rock Creek Fire is burning, between Armstrong Creek Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway, has been closed for public and firefighter safety. Some sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are also closed. Check the National Park Service website for details before visiting.
McDowell County wildfire evacuations
McDowell County Emergency Management lifted an evacuation order that was in place for residences on Wild Acres Road and Wild Acres Retreat. Residents have been urged to remain cautious and aware of any ongoing firefighting operations in the area.
Haoe Lead Fire update; Robbinsville, NC wildfires
The Haoe Lead Fire burning in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest had grown to 3,103 acres with 29% containment as of an April 22 news release from the Forest Service.
On April 21, a burnout operation on the south side of the fire between Little Santeetlah Creek and Santeetlah Road (FSR 81) was successful in consuming the burnable vegetation near the established fire lines in this area and securing this portion of the fire. Crews on the ground were supported by two heavy helicopters throughout the day. Precipitation began falling on the fire area late on April 21 and continued throughout the night.
On April 22, precipitation is expected to continue across the fire area, greatly reducing fire activity. Fire crews will patrol roads along and near the fire perimeter throughout the day, mopping up any smoke or heat they encounter. Hoselays near the Memorial Loop remain in place. The public should use caution on all area roads and avoid travel near the fire.
There are no evacuations in effect connected to the Haoe Lead Fire, as it is burning entirely on National Forest System lands. However, parts of the area are closed, including the N.C. portion of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness including the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and non-wilderness lands in the Santeetlah Road (Forest Service Road 81) area.
Most trails in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness remain closed, including Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop (TR 43). Several of these closed trails are sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail. In addition, Santeetlah Road and the Big Santeetlah Creek area are closed to all public use.
Sam Davis Road Fire update; Swain County, NC wildfires
A fire that began on April 18 affecting Sam Davis Road, Gospel Road, Big Rocky’s Road and Dark Branch Road as well as Bobcat Trail grew to 400 acres, but is at 85% containment as of a Swain County Emergency Services post on Facebook April 22.
Crews on April 22 are focusing on providing point protection to homes near a small remaining burnout area while beginning mop-up and rehabilitation work, and efforts continue to patrol the fire perimeter and ensure containment within established lines. Strategic objectives remain to keep the fire west of Sam Davis Road, north of Lower Alarka Road, east of Dark Branch Road and south of Potato Hill.
Swain County, NC wildfire evacuations
As of April 21, residents of Dark Branch Road were permitted to return to their homes. Evacuation orders have also been lifted for Big Rocky's Road, Sam Davis Road and Sky Cove Development.
Swannanoa, NC wildfire
The Swannanoa Fire & Rescue Facebook page posted several updates on Monday, April 21, regarding a wildland fire off of Long Branch in the Bee Tree area. A final update on Monday night stated that fire rescue expected to have 100% containment within 45 minutes of the post.
Western NC weather
McDowell County, NC weather today, April 22 - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 74 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. A 30% chance of showers tonight, mainly after 5 a.m. Patchy fog after 4 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56 degrees. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
McDowell County, NC weather April 23 - Chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 a.m. High near 77 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. More showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then showers likely. Low around 56 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Robbinsville, NC weather April 22 - Showers likely before 12 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 4 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 73 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. A chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight, patchy fog after 1 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Robbinsville, NC weather April 23 - A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. High near 78 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Further showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 2-5 a.m. Low around 55 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Swain County, NC weather April 22 - Showers likely before 12 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 4 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 68 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tonight, a chance of showers before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers after 3 a.m. Patchy fog after 4 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 55 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Swain County, NC weather April 23 - A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. High near 73 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. More showers and thunderstorms overnight before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 1-4 a.m. Low around 56 degrees. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].