Above: The map shows the location of some of the larger wildfires in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia November 11, 2016.
(UPDATED at 4:59 p.m. ET November 11, 2016)
The intense wildfire activity that has been going on for weeks in the southeast United States ramped up a bit over the last 24 hours as extremely low relative humidities allowed some of the blazes to continue to spread aggressively Thursday night. A weather station southeast of Asheville, NC 9 miles northwest of the 977-acre Party Rock Fire recorded 9 percent RH early Friday morning. Night time humidities in that part of the country are usually far above 50 percent at night.
The good news is the conditions will moderate a little over the next several days after the passage of a cold front.
There are currently 31 uncontained wildfires in the Southern Geographic Area. Here some other numbers about the fires in the region (data from the National Interagency Coordination Center and the Southern Area Coordination Center):
- 10 Incident Management Teams deployed or en route (3 Type 1 teams, 6 Type 2 teams, and 2 Type 3 teams)
- 77,507 acres have burned in the fires that are still active
- 136 hand crews
- 184 engines
- 12 air tankers (4 large and 3 single engine)
- 14 air attack ships
- 34 helicopters (11 large Type 1, 5 medium Type 2) and 18 Type 3)
- 3,067 total personnel assigned
Fire behavior on the fires continues to be extreme. The Energy Release Component percentiles are above the 90th percentile throughout the region and many areas are setting record high values for this time of year. The 1,000 hour time-lag fuel moistures are below the third percentile. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index values are above the 97th percentile.
And, during this period of unusually dry weather, crews and engines continue to be in short supply and in very high demand.
Evacuations are currently underway at the Party Rock Fire near Chimney Rock, 18 miles southeast of Asheville, NC.
Here are a few details about other fires:
- Rock Mountain Fire: in northeast Georgia, 8 miles west of Dillard. 300 acres; 42 structures threatened; 40 personnel assigned.
- Boteler Fire: 4,767 acres; 6 miles east of Hayesville, NC; 314 structures threatened; 538 personnel assigned; costs to date $3.1 million.
- Tellico Fire: 6,839 acres; 3 miles south of Almond, NC; 137 personnel assigned; 336 structures threatened.
- Maple Springs: 5,083 acres; north of Santeetlah Lake in North Carolina; 29 structures threatened; 192 personnel assigned.
- Rough Ridge: 10,336 acres; 13 miles west of Blue Ridge, Georgia; 48 structures threatened; 227 personnel assigned.
We had hoped to get an updated satellite photo showing smoke from the fires, but Friday afternoon’s overflight shows mostly clouds. However there appear to be some streaks of smoke blowing into northwest South Carolina between Charlotte and Greenville.
For the latest articles at Wildfire Today about wildfire smoke check out the articles tagged “smoke”.
I would like to know about Sky Valley as well.
Looking to obtain an update on the fires in/around/near Sky Valley GA
Thank you and God bless everyone who is impacted and all emergency responders
Does anyone know if Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge have been affected by the fires?
A friend and I are heading to the Maggie Valley, NC area from Greenville, SC this weekend. I was wondering if this area is affected by the fires and if it is still safe to travel there?
Heading to Gatlinburg on Fri. 11/18 for vacation through 11/22. I’m sure there’s smoke, but just wondering how close any of the fires were to Gatlinburg area? Thanks!
I have a home in the Ranger area, which is just west of Murphy, between 64 and Nantahala Forest. Can you tell what is happening there. Is the fire stillburning? It is Wednesday, early morning.
We wondered about that. Thanks for the heads up!
I live in the Franklin and Jackson county area in Georgia and it’s so smokey down her it’s hard to breath and giving people headache
Is gatlinburg safe? We have plans to go saturday for a few days.
Check out Bobby Bloodworth’s comment below this article.
Thank you for taking the time to answer all of these questions!
What are the chances that Haywood County will be evacuated??
Lindsey, I would check with your local fire department.
What’s the DuPont and Brevard area looking like? Praying for firefighters!
Thank you for your quick response. I guess it is no way to know about the smoke. Thank you again.
Yes, we are heading to Blue ridge the week of Thanksgiving. I am hoping and praying for all the firefighters and all that are heading that way will be safe. I hope we will be able to get up there.
Appalachian Trail
What about the AT around the Amicola/ Springer Mtn area? We have a day hike planned there next week.
“AT” ?
AT=Appalachian Trail
There’s no fire there but smoke depending on the wind. I was there last weekend and it was fine! Just depends on the wind!
I thought I read somewhere that the AT was closed…..one because of the danger and two because of an arsonist on the loose….might want to check to see if you will even be able to hike it.
We have rented a cabin Saturday through Wednesday (Nov 19-23) in Morganton, GA. Can you tell me about fire and smoke for this area. I really hate to spend the money if we are not going to be able to go outside.
Robyn, the Rough Ridge Fire is 16 miles west of Morganton, GA. The largest issue over the next day or two will be smoke in that area.
Could the Rough Ridge fire eventually reach Blue Ridge or Ellijay?
my mom lives 12 miles NW of Blue Ridge, exactly how much advance warning would she get if she were to need to evacuate with the animals? She’s already restricting the amount of time she lets the dogs out in the smokey air.
I suggest you check with the local fire department about the probability of evacuation.
We are going to a cabin in Blairsville, GA this weekend. Do you know if this area is affected? Should we be worried?
Blairsville is even farther east than Blue Ridge. I’m not there myself but by the looks of the map, if the fire doesn’t spread eastward, I would say you’d be fine. BUT… I am no professional so you may not want to take my opinion 100%.
The large fires are more than 20 miles away from Blairsville, GA, but the smoke will probably be very noticeable in the area on Monday and Tuesday, at least.
How close are the fires in the Franklin area also in Cowee Valley area of NC?
Chris, the Tellico Fire is nine miles northwest of Franklin, NC.
Bill, Any danger of fires reaching Sky Valley .Ga, or Dillard , Ga.
Sue, I’m much too far away to predict where the fires will burn, but as of Sunday night the Rock Mountain Fire was 7 to 10 miles away from Dillard and Sky Valley.
What can I do to help support the fire fighters around Blue Ridge. Is there a website that gives you a what to do list in case of evacuation? How close should you let a fire get before you start packing?
How close to Spartanburg county is any fire, I live in Lyman lake area an it is slightly hazy and the smell of smoke in the air!and it’s not the smell of someone burning wood in a fire place it has slight pungent smell to it. Please answer question. Thank you
Does anyone know how close are the fires to East Silvermine Road up from the Nantahala Outdoor Center?
Was thinking of renting a cabin in Blueridge next February. I’m sure the fires will be extinguished by then but was wondering on what the current effects are in that area.
Are the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN areas affected by fire or smoke?
is there any danger driving from murphy to hayesville tomorrow. how bad is the smoke?
I am in the Bethel Community of Haywood County, NC. Approximately 5 miles East of Waynesville. How likely in all opinions are these fires likely to reach me?
Joey — There are two small fires, or at least heat sources detected by satellites, 7 and 11 miles away from Bethel, NC. There are currently no large wildland fires anywhere near Bethel.
How about fort mill sc a map said there is a fire by here
How about clayton Georgia and Blackrock mountain state park? Have reservations in the area for next weekend?
Mandy, the 3,100-acre Rock Mountain Fire is 5 miles west of Blackrock Mountain State Park.
It is Sunday around 12:00 pm here in Kodak, tn and we are seeing quite a lot of smoke in our area! Wasn’t so bad earlier this morning, but after arriving home from church it has gotten worse. Can’t hardly step outside without coughing and not able to breathe in much. God keep the people involved in fighting this mess safe and watch over them and us all!
What about outside of Bostic NC have family there
The nearest large wildfire is 17 miles away from Bostic, NC.
How about the Murphy area Ranger, and Culberson?
(Thanks, by the way for answering everybody’s questions.)
What state are those towns in?
Murphy, and Ranger are in NC, and Culberson is in GA. It’s right in the tri-state area with TN (Duck Town/Copper Hill)
Murphy and Ranger, NC are between two large fires, the Rough Ridge and Boteler Fires, that are 18 to 28 miles away.
Is the Bryson City , NC area affected?
There are four fires within 20 miles of Bryson City, NC. The closest is 11 miles away, but the town, at this time, is not threatened.
We are planning vacation Dec 16 in Bryson City hope all is well by that time so sad hearing this devastation of the areas involved
is holly ridge having fire also.
2 miles north at folkstone rd is burning hard. I came acrossi as it had just started to get bad. Looked like it could possably jump highway 17 into holly shelter game lands
Where is this fire?
North of Holly Ridge, NC at Hwy US-17 and Folkstone Rd.
A control burn that got out of control I heard,
Whom ever is doing this should be put in jail for yrs. Wild life..homes…tax payer cost due to people putting their life on the line. This is so sad. Maybe they need a job like so many others who cause trouble.
The Tallulah River/Coleman River fire is not shown on these maps. A mandatory evacuation was issued yesterday (Friday) for folks in that area. 25 to 40 homes affected……
Are you referring to the Rock Mountain Fire, shown on the map in the northeast corner of Georgia, or the Flat Branch Fire in the same general area?
At the time I made that post, I must admit, I didn’t know the “official” names to those fires. But now that I’ve found out, I was referring to the Rock Mountain Fire. Rabun County also had a big 2nd fire, named Timber Ridge, that as of yesterday afternoon, was 100% contained, but still smoldering. I spoke with 2 Forestry firefighters yesterday who had just come off the Rock Mountain fire yesterday afternoon, and they looked exhausted. They said that it was maybe 15 to 20% contained, but they were worried about today’s estimated 25 to 30 mph winds with gusts to 35, for fear of both jumping containment lines, and spreading. One said that the Rock River fire grew by 1500 acres during calm conditions over just a 36 hour period because it’s so dry. With wind it’s gonna be bad. We have moderate smoke here (SW side of Lake Burton) near Batesville, this morning (Saturday, November 19) and right now (7:45am) no wind. Pray for rain.
It’s now 8:10 am on Saturday morning, and the wind has picked up to around 20 mph and gusting. Amazing what just 25 minutes can do……praying for the firefighters and our 30 % chance of morning rain…..
What about Polk Co. In NC. I have friends there.
Polk county out of fire area
I live in Polk County on Lake Adger which is 12 miles south of Chimney Rock. Currently (11/12/16 12:32 pm) there is heavy smoke blowing down our cove near the dam next to Hwy 9. Saw ash falling yesterday. Prayers to all responders and those evacuated.
Can anyone tell me about the Chattanooga area. We are planning on arrival
Thanksgiving day
So are we. My daughter tells me that little ones with asthma are being taken to ER, in case you have someone with asthma. They can smell the smoke, though. They live off of Brainerd Rd going toward downtown.