Western North Carolina Wildfire Is “Zero Percent Contained”
A wildfire in western North Carolina has burned more than 150 acres and is “zero percent contained,” according to officials with the National Forest Service.
Dubbed the Black Bear Fire, the blaze is located near Interstate 40 at mile marker 3 in Haywood County. Anyone who has made the drive from North Carolina to Tennessee will probably remember the remote area for its steep, rugged mountain terrain.
The Black Bear fire in Haywood County continues to grow, but does not threaten any structures. Alert messages have been sent to warn hikers of the danger. Map of the fire danger area: https://t.co/Gad1Z1Tepb Photo: @NC Forest Service pic.twitter.com/513NkMOWYa
— Haywood County Emergency Services (@HaywoodCountyES) November 16, 2023
The Black Bear Fire was first reported Thursday morning. Officials believe the cause was a motor vehicle accident on I-40. The wildfire does not pose a danger to highway traffic.
Although the North Carolina wildfire is not currently threatening any homes or businesses, it has led to some closures. For public and firefighter safety, the Appalachian Trail is closed in a stretch near I-40. There are also some local road closures. For real-time closure information, go to drivenc.gov.
The U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service are responding to the fire. According to a release from the US Forest Service, “personnel and equipment on the incident include air attack, air tankers, helicopters, a 20-person hand crew, and dozers. Aircraft are conducting retardant and water drops to slow the fire progression. Fire activity is very active, moving up a ridge through dry fuels.”
