Single Publication

Size: 790 acres Location: 7 miles west of Robbinsville, NC. County: Graham

Start Date: April 12, 2025 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 85

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 17, 2025 – The Haoe Lead Fire is burning within the Joyce Kilmer￾Slickrock Wilderness of the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest, approximately 7 miles west of Robbinsville, North Carolina, and 2 miles west of Lake Santeetlah. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy and is burning predominantly in hardwood leaf litter in steep and rugged terrain. Much of the fire is burning within the fire scar of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.

Yesterday’s Activities – Fire personnel strengthened containment lines on the southern portion of the fire near the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail (TR 43) and trailhead and explored opportunities to engage the fire near State Road 1127 (Maple Springs Road). A helicopter reconnaissance flight provided more accurate mapping of the fire perimeter.

Today’s Activities – The Southern Area Gray Team, led by Incident Commander Mitch Ketron, today assumed command of the Haoe Lead Fire. Personnel will continue to focus their efforts on the southern and eastern portions of the fire. An early afternoon helicopter reconnaissance flight is planned, and additional aviation assets are available to fire managers if needed.

Weather and Smoke – Today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature of 70 degrees and minimum humidity of 26 percent. Winds are expected to be light and variable. Fire activity is expected to increase in the late afternoon, particularly on south and west facing slopes, then decrease after sundown. Smoke will be visible from area roads and communities. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Closures – The National Forests of North Carolina has implemented an emergency closure on the national forest lands in the Haoe Lead Fire area for the safety of both the public and fire personnel. The fire is burning entirely on national forest lands. There are no evacuations in effect at this time.

The following trails within the closure area are closed: Slickrock Creek (TR 42), Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop (TR 43), Haoe Lead (TR 53), Jenkins Meadow (TR 53A), Stratton Bald (TR 54), Naked Ground (TR 55), Hangover Lead (TR 56), Wolf Laurel (TR 57), and Strawberry Knob (TR 217-H). Several of these local trails are also sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail.

Aircraft and Drone Restrictions – The public is asked not to fly any type of aircraft, including drones, near the fire area. Unauthorized drone (UAS) flights pose serious risks to the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger. If you fly, we can't