Collette Ridge fire now more than 5,000 acres
UPDATES:
Nov. 16
The Collette Ridge wildfire is now 80% contained, according to the Hiwassee Dam Fire Department.
The U.S. Forest Service said crews are doing “back firing” techniques to further contain the flames. This may cause the public to see more smoke around Phillips Creek or Sniders Creek.
Collette Ridge wildfire / U.S. Forestry Service
The fire has grown since last week.
It is now at 5,447 acres.
There are 232 personnel working this fire.
The Forestry also gave these updates on the fire on Thursday:
“Isolated sources of heat flared up yesterday along the northwest flank of the fire as fuels continued to dry out, with fire creeping downslope through forest floor fuels, producing visible flames and an increased volume of smoke. As a result, firefighters conducted tactical firing operations along the containment lines on McClelland Creek Road and Snider Road, removing available fuels from the fire and providing additional security for area residences. Fuel reduction activities will continue around residences in the area, and aerial resources will continue to conduct water drops as needed.”
Nov. 9:
Collette Ridge wildfire / U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. National Forest Service says the Collette Ridge wildfire has grown to more than 4,000 acres as of Thursday.
Its size is now 4,372 acres, up from 3,918 on Wednesday.
However, they now have 5% containment on the fire, up from none Wednesday.
They also say there are now 16 structures at risk because of the fire.
“For public and firefighter safety the following road and area closures are in effect due to increased fire activity and suppression operations in the area from Big Stamp east to Shinbone Ridge to Signal Bald and a road closure is in effect from the intersection of Little Fires Creek Road, 340B, and Fires Creek Road, 340. The Rim Trail is temporarily closed for approximately 7 miles from Big Stamp to Shinbone.”
Nov. 8:
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WDEF) — A wildfire is burning almost 4,000 acres in western North Carolina.
The U.S. Forest Service provided an update to this fire on Wednesday, November 8.
So far, they have no containment on the blaze. It has been burning since October 23: that’s more than two weeks.
The size of the fire is at 3,918, according to the Forest Service.
This is located on Collette Ridge, which is just four miles south of Andrews, North Carolina.
Thankfully, no buildings are at risk, and no one has been injured as a result.
On Tuesday, crews dropped 54,000 gallons of water and retardant on the flames.
The Forest Service will use aircraft to drop water and slow the progression of the fire on Wednesday.
“Despite the increased humidity, dry conditions will persist due to the increased temperatures and fire activity and growth is expected to continue,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a social media post.
Cherokee County, along with Clay and Macon Counties, may have Code Red air quality conditions. This means the air is unhealthy for anyone to breathe.
Local counties are under a burn ban at this time as well.
