Single Publication

Size: 3,103 acres   Location: 7 miles west of Robbinsville, NC.   County: Graham

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 29%  Total Personnel: 124

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 23, 2025 - The Haoe Lead Fire is burning within and adjacent to 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 fire is entirely on National Forest System lands, and no private lands or structures are threatened. No evacuations in effect or anticipated. 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 hardwood leaf litter and shrubs in steep and rugged terrain, and much is within the fire scar of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire.

Yesterday’s Activities – Significant precipitation fell across the fire area beginning Monday evening and continued throughout the day Tuesday, with rain gauges on the fire recording amounts of 0.75 inches to more than an inch. The fire did not grow in size on Tuesday. Fire activity was minimal throughout the day, with only scattered heavy fuels and stumps smoking. Fire crews patrolled roads and fire lines along and near the fire perimeter.

Today’s Activities – Damp and rainy conditions will continue today and will keep fire activity minimal. Significant additional rainfall is expected. Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire lines and fire perimeter for any smoldering or smoking heavy fuels, logs and stumps. Crews will remove hoselays and other water handling equipment from the area near the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail (TR 43) and begin suppression repair work to naturalize handlines and dozer lines on the east and south portions of the fire. Some resources are being reassigned to other wildfires.

Weather and Smoke – Cloudy and rainy weather will continue today, with scattered thunderstorms possible. Additional rainfall accumulations of more than an inch are possible. Smoke from the fire will be minimal today. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Closures - The USDA Forest Service closure order for the area around the Haoe Lead Fire remains in effect for the safety of both the public and fire personnel. The closed area includes the North Carolina portion of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and non-Wilderness lands in the Santeetlah Road area.

Most trails in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness remain closed, including Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop. Several of these closed trails are sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail. In addition, Santeetlah Road and the Big Santeetlah Creek area are closed to all public use.

Aircraft and Drone Restrictions – The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for the area around the fire has been lifted. Firefighting aircraft are still active on the Haoe Lead Fire. Public drone (UAS) use near the fire remains prohibited due to the risk of interference with aviation assets. If you fly, we can’t.