Single Publication

Size: 1,895 acres   Location: 7 miles west of Robbinsville, NC.  County: Graham

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: 89

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 19, 2025 – The Haoe Lead Fire is burning within the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on 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 Southern Area Gray Team is managing this fire under a full suppression strategy using existing barriers and a combination of direct and indirect tactics. The fire is burning predominantly in hardwood leaf litter in steep and rugged terrain. Much of this fire is burning in the fire scar of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire. 

Yesterday’s Activities – Fire activity increased Friday afternoon because of full sun, wind, and low humidity conditions. The fire crossed Little Santeetlah Creek. It quickly became established in rugged steep terrain to the west of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and grew to the northwest. Two heavy helicopters dropped water throughout the afternoon to limit fire spread. 

On the east flank of the fire near Horse Cove Campground, firefighters successfully conducted a strategic firing operation along a portion of Maple Springs Overlook Road (SR 1127) to remove unburned fuels and secure that portion of the fire perimeter.

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will be constructing firelines and implementing other protection measures in the Little Santeetlah Creek and Horse Cove Ridge areas between the active fire area and the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Heavy helicopters will drop water on the most active parts of the fire to reduce intensity and limit spread. Personnel will continue to monitor the east flank of the fire along Maple Springs Overlook Road (SR 1127) and assess opportunities for additional containment efforts. Additional resources have been ordered to support the ongoing full suppression efforts.

Weather and Smoke – Today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature of 82 degrees and minimum humidity of 30 percent. Winds will be from the southwest at 6-8 mph, with afternoon gusts to 20 mph. Fire activity is expected to increase throughout the afternoon, particularly on south and west facing slopes, then decrease after sundown. Smoke may be visible from area roads and communities. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Closures – The USDA Forest Service implemented a new emergency closure order in response to the fire growth yesterday. This order expands the area around the Haoe Lead Fire that is closed to all public use for the safety of both the public and fire personnel. This expanded area includes Santeetlah Road (Forest Service Road 81) and the trails and recreation sites along it. 

The fire is burning entirely on national forest lands. There are no evacuations in effect at this time.

The following trails remain 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.

In addition, Santeetlah Road (FSR 81), Wolf Laurel Road (FSR 81F) and the Big Santeetlah Creek area are now closed. 

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.

Email: 2025.haoelead@firenet.gov    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-haoe-lead