Officials provide updates on 8 wildfires in NC

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The North Carolina Forest Service provided an update on Wednesday for multiple wildfires burning through region three of North Carolina.

Poplar Drive Fire

This fire in Henderson County is now 100% contained. Officials said on Sunday the fire will continue to be monitored by N.C. Forest Service personnel. The fire was 434 acres, and the cause was determined to be a debris burn.

Alum Knob Fire

Officials said this fire in Madison County is holding at 36 acres and 90 percent contained. Firefighters continue to mopup smoldering areas in the fire footprint and reinforce containment lines.

Elk Creek, Tripplett, and Branch fires

Each of these fires are currently being mopped up by firefighters. Elk Creek Fire in Watauga started on Nov. 8 and is 225 acres and 90 percent contained with some minimal smoldering in the interior of the fire footprint.

The Tripplett Fire in Wilkes County is 107 acres and 90 percent contained. No homes were damaged or destroyed. The Tripplett Fire started Nov. 8.

The Branch Fire in Wilkes County, which started Nov. 9, is 80 acres and is 85 percent contained. Three structures are threatened on the Branch Fire. The cause of these three fires is under investigation.

East Fork Fire

This Jackson County fire is 310 acres in size and has reached 100% containment as of Nov. 14. No structures were damaged or destroyed by this fire.

Collett Ridge Fire

Officials said the fire is burning in Cherokee and Clay counties. The fire is 5,505 acres and is 82% contained. The Collett Ridge Fire is being managed under unified command between the Southern Area Blue Team and the Forest Service. The cause of Collett Ridge was determined to be lightning.

Black Bear Fire

Officials said the fire has grown to 1,740 acres near the Black Bear area in the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. They added that the fire is currently 42% contained. The fire was first reported in Thursday, November 16, near I-40 in Haywood County.

As of Sunday, November 19, 898 fire have burned in the state and private lands since Nov. 1. Officials said firefighters were called to several small fires across the region on Saturday, protecting more than 20 structures with an estimated total value of more than $100 million.

According to officials, conditions remain dry this week, transitioning to potential for widespread and scattered showers late Friday into Saturday due to a passing cold front. Overnight low humidity’s continue to keep vegetation and soil dry. Leaf fall and extremely dry duff soil are providing ample dry fuels for fire to spread.

To keep up with other wildfire updates, click here.

MORE NEWS: Crews near full containment of 434-acre wildfire in Henderson County

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