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2023 Black Bear Fire
Unit Information
Incident Contacts
- National Forests in North CarolinaPhone:(828) 767-5399Hours:8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Daily Update - Sunday, November 19, 2023
2023 Black Bear Fire
Publication Type: Announcement 11/19/2023
INCIDENT STATISTICS:
Current Size: 1,720 Acres
Current Containment: 0%
Start Date: November 16, 2023
Cause: Unknown
Total personnel: 193
HIGHLIGHTS: Weather conditions yesterday moderated fire behavior, giving crews the opportunity to work on primary and contingency dozer and handlines.
Along the Appalachian Trail, hand line was completed from the communications site east to Brown Gap and continues west towards I-40. On the eastern side of the fire, hand line has begun along the Groundhog Creek drainage from the Appalachian Trail to the north and I-40 to the south. A dozer completed contingency line work along Cold Spring Creek Road (Forest Roads 148 and 148A) from I-40 to Brown Gap at the Appalachian Trail.
Work on containment lines will continue today, taking advantage of the weather before anticipated winds tomorrow and rain Tuesday and Wednesday. An increase of fire activity is expected this afternoon as the sun dries fuels out – active fire will be visible along I-40 and smoke will remain in the area throughout the day.
WEATHER: High pressure will settle over the area today. After some morning valley fog, dry, sunny, seasonally cool weather is expected, with high temperatures of 55-65 degrees and minimum humidity of 35-45%. Winds are forecast to be light and variable, and smoke concentration may be higher today due to lack of air movement.
FIRE BEHAVIOR: Surface fuels were wetted by rain yesterday and will not likely support fire spread. Heavy fuel concentrations, such as log ends, snags, and stumps, will retain heat and may provide a source of ignition to adjacent fuels. Fire behavior characteristics for the day include smoldering and areas of limited creeping.
SMOKE: Calm winds will keep smoke in the area of the fire – expect low visibility when driving along I-40.
EVACUATIONS: None
CLOSURES AND DELAYS: For public and firefighter safety, a closure order is in effect over the fire area. The Appalachian Trail is closed from Interstate 40 to Browns 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.
