Firefighters continue progress containing the Hurricane Ridge Fire, which has grown to 796 acres and is now 55% contained. Remaining areas of active burning along the containment lines have been extinguished, and only minimal interior hot spots remain where pockets of fuel with large, downed trees continue to burn.
Firefighters are continuing to monitor and patrol the fire today and will remain on scene throughout the weekend. The public can expect to see a small amount of smoke interior to the fire area. Rain is expected again overnight tonight and into early next week, moderating any expected future fire behavior. At this time, there are no concerns for the fire escaping the containment area. This will be the last operational update for the Hurricane Ridge Fire.
The fire, which started on the day before Thanksgiving, is burning adjacent to Interstate 40 in the Harmon Den area on the US Forest Service Appalachian Ranger District in Haywood County, NC. Firefighters responded quickly on November 23, protecting resources along Interstate 40 and assessing threats to structures and private property. After spreading rapidly to the top of Hurricane Ridge, the fire began to back down into the Hurricane Creek drainage where rugged terrain and limited access led fire managers to pull back to the existing road network in order to ensure the safety of responding firefighters. As the fire continued to spread east, firefighters worked to secure lines on the south end of the fire, eliminating any direct impacts to private property. No structures were damaged or lost.
Today, a team of hydrologists and ecologists assessed fire intensity to determine if post-fire treatments are necessary to limit impacts. Much of the 796-acre fire area burned with low intensity, removing leaf litter and fuels and minimizing loss of overstory trees. The strategy of falling back to existing roads as containment lines meant limited disturbance from fireline construction within the watershed. The burned area assessment showed minimal impacts to vegetation and water resources from the Hurricane Ridge Fire.
This evening, fire managers will reopen Haynes Road (FSRD #233 – locally called Hurricane Creek Road). The public is asked to use caution when recreating in the area, as fire weakened trees may be more susceptible to falling across area roads. Brady Road (FSRD #3526) remains closed at this time.
52 firefighters from the US Forest Service and North Carolina Forest Service remain on scene. The response effort is supported by Haywood County Emergency Management and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT). We would like to extend gratitude to all the firefighters who responded over the Thanksgiving Holiday, as well as their families and friends who sacrificed time with loved ones.
The cause of the Hurricane Ridge Fire remains under investigation.
