Single Publication

Black Bear Fire
Daily Update – Monday, November 20, 2023
Southern Area Blue CIMT 

1,740 acres | 42% containment | 195 personnel assigned

Highlights: Today crews will complete handline along the Groundhog Creek drainage east of the fire and along the Appalachian Trail to the north. Today will bring breezy conditions with a wind advisory tonight, as well as rain on the way. Fire has been flanking and backing at lower elevations, creeping in the heavier fuels along the Interstate 40 corridor, with significantly less fire activity at higher elevations. Crews will react to any wind-driven fire behavior which threatens containment lines, and aircraft will be providing aerial support as long as weather safely allows.

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Weather: Concern for today is for increasing winds. A strong storm system developing over the Mid-Mississippi valley is expected to introduce gusty winds across the ridge tops today, with speeds increasing into the 15-25 mph range out of the southeast. Winds will be accompanied by increasing cloud cover, but no measurable rain in expected until tonight. Tuesday will be wet, featuring a full day with rain, heavy at times.

Fire Behavior: Surface fuels will likely support active fire spread with wind. Scattered heavy fuels, such as log ends, snags, and stump holes, will retain heat, and may provide a source of ignition to adjacent fuels. Flare ups and increased fire activity may occur with the wind. Fire behavior characteristics for the day include smoldering with areas of limited creeping that may transition to spreading surface fire and flare-ups with wind, with the potential for active flanks, sustained backing, and fingering head fire. Slope reversals may allow opposing sides of creeks to produce accelerated head fire.

Air Quality: Smoke may settle along the Pigeon River overnight – expect low visibility when driving along I-40. For information regarding smoke impacts and what you can do to protect yourself, visit the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Portal at airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/.

Burn Bans: Fire restrictions remain in place to help minimize the chances of human-caused wildland fires. These restrictions prohibit campfires outside of established recreation and wilderness areas. www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): There is a flight restriction over the fire area and drones are also prohibited. If you fly, we can't!

Evacuations: None.

Closures: For public and firefighter safety, a closure order is in effect over the fire area. This includes Cold Springs, Harmon Den Mountain, Groundhog, Hickory Ridge, and Skiffely Creek, Chestnut, Carmicheal, and Snowbird Roads. The Appalachian Trail is closed from I-40 to Brown Gap. You can find more information at linktr.ee/blackbearfire. Road closures are in effect for Cold Springs Road and Brown Gap Road. Impacts to travel along Interstate 40 are expected. Check current road conditions at drivenc.gov.