North Carolina Haoe Fire Updatel 16, 2025

 

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail closed due to fire risk

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 16, 2025 – Firefighters continue to respond to the Haoe Fire, which has grown to approximately 800 acres within the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area on the Nantahala National Forest.

Out of an abundance of caution, the USDA Forest Service has expanded the official closure for the area to now include the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail and Recreation Area to ensure firefighter and public safety.

Visitors are advised to avoid the closure area and exercise caution while traveling on surrounding roads. Fire traffic is present on roadways and smoke may impact visibility. Smoke may be visible from Robbinsville, N.C. and surrounding communities.

 The rugged terrain, remote location and weather conditions (including high winds and low humidity) continue to provide challenges to fire personnel working to gain containment. Air resources are being utilized as weather conditions allow.

For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit www.fs.usda

Wildfire Prompts Closure in Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area

 

This just in from the National Forest Service/North Carolina..... ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 15, 2025 – The USDA Forest Service issued a closure order for portions of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness in the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest to entry to mitigate the risks to public safety in response to the ongoing Haoe Fire. As a result of this order the following trails are Closed: Stratton Bald- TR 54 Haoe Lead- TR 53 Wolf Laurel- TR 57 Strawberry Knob- TR 217 H Naked Ground- TR 55 Hangover Lead- TR 56 Jenkins Meadow- TR 56 Slickrock Creek- TR 42 Visitor and employee safety are the highest priorities for the Forest Service, so the public should stay out of this area while fire crews work to contain the blaze. Currently reaching approximately 120 acres, the Haoe fire started on April 12 by a lightning strike. The fire is located 2 miles from the Joyce-Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail and separated by several natural features, including the Little Santeetlah Creek drainage. Forest Service crews continue to monitor the situation and will work to mitigate impacts on the area's natural resources. For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc.

Park Burn Ban is Back in Place

 "Due to dry conditions, low relative humidity, a continued high fire danger, and a high wind watch, the National Park Service (NPS) is instituting an immediate ban on all campfires and charcoal use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This fire ban will remain in effect until further notice on both the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park. 

Campers, backpackers, and visitors using picnic areas may continue to use cookstoves with compressed gas canisters and gas grills that feature an on/off switch. Stoves and grills must be attended at all times.

The NPS is collaborating with multiple agencies in response to current and predicted weather and fuel conditions. Visitors are urged to exercise extra caution while recreating on public lands, including national parks and national forests, in North Carolina and Tennessee when fire danger is elevated."

For the latest information regarding the fire ban in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, please visit the park's current conditions webpage.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Dangerously High Winds close many Roads in the GSMNP

 Be aware!

 For the GSMNP Alerts: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

And, from the noaa weather site: https://www.weather.gov/mrx/

Gust over 100mph?!

Be smart.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parkwide Burn Ban

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Due to continued dry conditions, winds, and high fire danger, the National Park Service (NPS) is banning all campfires and charcoal use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park effective immediately. 

The fire ban will be in effect until further notice on both the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park. This is consistent with the Sevier County burn ban and the National Weather Service Red Flag Warning in our area. 

Campers, backpackers and visitors using picnic areas may continue to use cookstoves with compressed gas canisters and gas grills that have an on/off switch. Stoves and grills should be attended at all times.  

Visitors should use extra caution recreating on public lands including national parks and national forests in North Carolina and Tennessee when fire danger is increased.   

Snow closing roads in the GSMNP

 US 441/Newfound Gap Road and Foothills Parkway West will close at 6pm on Tuesday 2/18

Due to forecasted snow and ice, US 441/Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC and Foothills Parkway West will close at 6pm 2/18/25

Most Roads in the GSMNP CLOSED

 

US441/Newfound Gap Road and most other roads closed due to snow/ice

This notice was posted on Sunday 1/19/2025 and has not changed. It barely made it into the 20's today in the foothills. The sun and blue skies took over after a dusting of snow which fell throughout the morning.
The following roads are closed: US441/Newfound Gap Rd, Gatlinburg Bypass, Cades Cove Loop, Cherokee Orchard Rd, Laurel Creek Rd, Foothills Pkwy, Greenbrier Rd, Sparks Ln., Little River Rd. (Sugarlands VC to the Townsend Wye), Lakeview Dr.

 

The Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers to open at noon on Jan. 20; Cable Mill VC is closed.

Posted 1/20/2025

The Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers will open at noon on Jan. 20. The Cable Mill Visitor Center in Cades Cove is currently closed.Follow the link below to the GSMNP Conditions page
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Seasonal restrictions near peregrine falcon nesting areas in North Carolind

 Seasonal restrictions near peregrine falcon nesting areas to resume on Pisgah, Nantahala National Forests

Activities such as climbing and drone use prohibited until mid-August 2025

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 14, 2025) -- The annual closure of rock faces used by nesting peregrine falcons begins again on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests starting Jan. 15, 2025, the U.S. Forest Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) announced today.

The sheer cliff faces on the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are popular destinations for climbers, so the Forest Service and NCWRC work with partners such as the Carolina Climbers Coalition each year to ensure that peregrine falcon closures balance conservation of the species with access to climbing destinations.

Follow this link for the details

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1169651.pdf

Winter Weather

 

With High Winds and ice and snow expected in the higher elevations today and tonight, Hwy 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee NC is closed. The link below will bring you full and current information for other closures in the Great Smoky Mtns.NP.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm