Incident Publication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2025
CONTACT: Philip Jackson, public information officer
N.C. Forest Service
919-857-4828 or philip.jackson@ncagr.gov
Burn ban lifted for all North Carolina counties as conditions improve

RALEIGH – The N.C. Forest Service has lifted a ban on all open burning effective 8 a.m.
Wednesday, April 2. The statewide ban went into effect March 21 due to hazardous forest fire
conditions.

“We’ve received some well-timed, much-needed rain over the last couple days which has
helped reduce fire danger, allowing us to lift burn ban restrictions across the state,” said
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “However, we are still in the midst of spring wildfire
season and our recent wildfire activity, especially in Western North Carolina, is a reminder to
remain vigilant about burning safely and responsibly.”

The lifting of the burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied
dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue or lift a burn ban within that 100 feet.

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, burn permits are available statewide. Residents can
obtain a burn permit from any authorized permitting agent or online at
https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits/. All burn permits granted before the statewide burn ban were
canceled when the ban became effective. A valid permit must be obtained.

Residents with questions regarding their specific county can contact their local N.C. Forest
Service county ranger or county fire marshal’s office. To find contact information for your local
NCFS county ranger, visit www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.

[EXTERNAL]Fire Restrictions to lift on North Carolina’s National Forests

N

National Forests in North Carolina













To:​2025 NCNCS Rattlesnake Branch​

Tue 4/1/2025 9:36 PM



National Forests in North Carolina

U.S. Forest Service News Release

Media Contact: Adam Rondeau

adam.rondeau@usda.gov

(828) 767-3448

www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc

Fire restrictions to lift on North Carolina's

National Forests

ASHEVILLE, N.C., April 1, 2025—The USDA Forest Service is lifting fire restrictions across the four National Forests in North Carolina effective Wednesday, April 2, at 8 a.m., coinciding with the end to the statewide burn ban.

Widespread rainfall over the past 48 hours reduced the overall fire danger across much of the state. The improved weather conditions also helped firefighters currently battling multiple fires in Western North Carolina, including the Rattlesnake Branch Fire on the Pisgah National Forest.

Forest visitors will be able to once again build campfires and use camp stoves and fire rings. However, several areas will continue experience warmer and windy weather in the days ahead, so it’s important to exercise extreme caution when burning outdoors.

Some important campfire tips to remember:

• Make sure your campfire is a safe distance from your tent or anything that can ignite unexpectedly.
• Use rocks to create a fire ring in the center of a large, cleared area.
• Use the Drown-Stir-Drown-Feel method to put out your campfire safely.
• For more information, check out Smokey Bear’s Campfire Safety webpage

While the statewide fire restriction on National Forest lands has lifted, the restrictions on all open burning in the area of Roan Mountain remains in effect because of heightened wildfire risks following Hurricane Helene. Click here for more information on the Roan Mountain fire restriction.

For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc.

Fire Information: 803-906-9730 (8 a.m.-8 p.m.) 

Email: 2025.tablerockcomplex@firenet.gov 

Table Rock Fire
Size:     13,287 acres

            12,652 acres (SC)
            635 acres (NC)
Containment: 30 percent
Fire Start Date: March 21, 2025
Cause: Human-caused        

The Table Rock Complex fire received around 1.5 inches of rain over the last two days, significantly reducing fire activity.  The dry conditions today provide an opportunity for firefighters at the Table Rock Fire to make good progress on extinguishing hotspots and securing control lines. Firefighters will continue constructing control lines along the fire’s edge in North Carolina and the northeastern edge in South Carolina. Air operations will utilize unmanned aircraft to map hotspots near the fire’s edge so firefighters can strategically extinguish burning material. Firefighters will continue to build containment lines along the eastern edge of the fire near Raven Cliffs.

Persimmon Ridge Fire

Size: 2,078 acres
Containment: 74 percent
Fire Start Date: March 22, 2025
Cause: Human-caused

The Persimmon Ridge fire has ceased growth and will remain in its current footprint.  Today’s drying weather will allow firefighters to utilize heavy equipment on the eastern edge of the fire, which was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. Crews will break up large, downed trees to reduce the amount of fuel available to burn. 

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Today, sunny conditions will be observed across the fire area after two days and an inch and a half of rain.  Temperatures will reach the low 70s with relative humidity near 30 percent. Winds will be light and out of the northwest, shifting to the southwest later this afternoon. These drying conditions will precipitate an increase in smoke from both fires as heavy debris within the fire perimeter continues to smolder. 

Closures/Evacuations: All mandatory evacuations in Greenville County have been reduced to voluntary. All voluntary evacuations in Pickens County have been lifted. No evacuations are in place for Transylvania County, NC.

Burn Ban: A burning ban remains in effect for Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Horry counties in South Carolina - all outdoor burning prohibited - including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires, and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of South Carolina. The ban has been lifted for the rest of South Carolina.  A statewide ban on open burning remains in place for all counties in North Carolina.

SC Firefighter Mobilization (SC State Fire) Resources: All remaining SC Firefighter Mobilization resources are planned to demobilize today. SC State Fire will continue to have a SC-HART crew on standby as a means to provide rapid extraction of an injured wildland crew member, if needed. The Palmetto IST will remain at the incident for as long as SC-HART and our Mobile Command Center is needed.

Command: The Southern Area Blue Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) is managing the Table Rock Complex, in unified command with South Carolina Forestry Commission, North Carolina Forest Service, Greenville County Emergency Management and Pickens County Emergency Management. The incident is supported by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, South Carolina State Fire, South Carolina Military Department, The Nature Conservancy, Greenville Water, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, USDA Forest Service and multiple local fire departments.

Facebook: @PickensCountySC | @GreenvilleCounty | @ForestryCommish |                
                        @TransylvaniaCounty | @NCForestService

Rattlesnake Branch Fire Daily Update

Southern Area Red Team
2025.RattlesnakeBranch@firenet.gov
(828) 519-8242
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch
https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/

Rattlesnake Branch Fire Daily Update -- April 1, 2025

CRUSO, N.C., April 1, 2025—The Rattlesnake Branch Fire is on private land and the Shining Rock Wilderness Area on Pisgah National Forest around the community of Cruso, approximately 11 miles southeast of Waynesville, North Carolina. It started on March 26, 2025, and quickly spread due to dry conditions of the hardwood leaves and branches on the ground. The cause remains under investigation.

The fire is approximately 1,865 acres and 24 percent contained. Nearly 160 personnel are on the fire.

Yesterday’s Activities

“There was no fire movement yesterday,” said Dave Walker, Operations Section Chief for the Southern Area Red Team.

Rainfall amounts on the fire ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 inches, with the higher amounts in the western part of the fire. Crews held fire containment lines, patrolled for hot spots along the edge of the fire, and mopped up along US-276, Crawford Creek, and Cold Creek. They also continued structure protection in these areas. No heat or hot spots were detected around structures in Cruso. Structure protection was a focus of work in the Barnette Cove Road area.

A structure protection group worked close to the Shining Rock Wilderness Area boundary northwest and west of the fire to identify structures at risk and to map old roads and trails that could potentially be used as fire containment lines if the fire spread in those directions.

Today’s Activities

Today, crews will continue to improve, hold and monitor fire lines, mopping up as necessary, to secure the fire’s edge around powerlines and private property in Cruso, along US-276, Crawford Creek and Rattlesnake Branch Road. A resource advisor will hike the Art Loeb Trail in the Shining Rock Wilderness to do fire impact assessments. In the Burnette Cove Road area, firefighters will extend the fire containment lines to protect private properties. They will identify opportunities to use Lenior Creek as a control feature running south into the Shining Rock Wilderness Area. In the wilderness, firefighters will use only chainsaws, leaf blowers and bucket water drops from helicopters as necessary and will coordinate with a resource advisor to protect wilderness values during fire suppression operations. This includes determining appropriate areas from which to draft water.

Fire personnel will continue to scout areas around Dix Creek, Rocky Branch and Chambers Cove roads to the northwest of the fire and Schoolhouse Branch and Panther Branch roads to the west of the fire to assess structure protection needs, to develop a structure protection plan, and identify potential fire line locations.

Today, a drone will fly to do some infrared mapping of the fire, launching from the Schoolhouse Branch Road area west of the fire. Other aircraft available include large helicopters, small helicopters, air attack platforms and fixed-wing “super scoopers."

Weather/Fire Behavior: A warmer and much drier day is expected as a cold front that brought rainfall to the fire moves off the coast. High temperatures across the fire area are predicted to be around 70 degrees and minimum relative humidity in the lower 30 percent range. Winds will be northwest early, shifting to the south/southeast after 11:00 am. Wind speed will be 8-12 mph with gusts 18-26 mph.

Minimal fire activity is expected due to recent wetting rains. Fire movement is unlikely until after more drying days. However, with lower humidity and higher winds, heat retained in large logs and dead trees may begin to come to life. Live and dead vegetation on the ground may become receptive in exposed areas on southern-facing or canopy-damaged slopes and ridges later in the day. Air quality information is available at Smoke Outlook for Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina, www.airnow.gov and www.wildlandfiresmoke.net.

Closures and Restrictions: The Pisgah National Forest has issued an area closure of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area to protect the public from wildfire and firefighting operations. This closure includes all National Forest System land between US-276 and NC-215 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway (between mile markers 405 and 420). Please stay safe and keep out of these areas.

Following the statewide burn ban issued for North Carolina, the USDA Forest Service issued a fire restriction on open burning National Forest land, including building, maintaining or using campfires, open stove fires and fire rings, to mitigate wildfire risks. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly!

For the latest wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch.

April 1, 2025 

Acres: 2,958 acres                                                                                       Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                   Personnel: 281 

Containment: 20%                                                                                        Fuels: Timber 

Resources: 6 crews | 14 engines | 4 dozers | 1 helicopter 

Highlights: The Big Ridge Fire received 0.75 inches of rain from the storm system that passed through the area Sunday and Monday and containment increased to 20%.  Structure protection specialists from the Georgia Forestry Commission will continue visiting communities around the Big Ridge Fire along Warwoman Creek. 

Fire Activity: Minimal fire spread is expected today. In specific locations where fuels are exposed to wind and sun, there will be a chance of open flame and creep.  On the north side of the fire closest to Sky Valley the fire has been contained from Rabun Bald to Wilson Gap.  Today firefighters will take advantage of improved conditions to continue construction and improvement of direct and indirect fire control lines in all directions. All areas where direct lines have been completed will be the focus of mop up.  This activity consists of putting out all remaining pockets of heat, such as stump holes, logs, and deep layers of duff.

The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations is seeking information regarding the circumstances around the cause of the Big Ridge Fire. If anyone was in the area on March 22, 2025, and observed suspicious activity please call the Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Hotline 1-800-428-7337.

Weather:  Today will be warm and drier with humidity dropping into the 20s.  The forecast calls for 70 degrees and winds southeast 2-4 mph. Wednesday will be cooler with much higher humidities and a 20% chance of rain.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: A closure order is in place for the vicinity of the Big Ridge Fire. For details visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/gachf-big-ridge-fire

More Information: 

Air Quality: https://www.airnow.gov/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChattOconeeNF              

Email: 2025.BigRidge@firenet.gov 

Fire Information: 770-230-1020    

Big Ridge Fire Recorded Information Line: 706-982-4729                      

Sky Valley

GOOD to MODERATE air expected, but periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS are possible in the evening and overnight.

SMOKE
Potentially increased fire activity may result in higher smoke production, with any lingering smoke remaining trapped in the valleys overnight, especially near Sky Valley and Pickens. Much of the forecast area will have air quality that is GOOD to MODERATE, though Pickens may have periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS. Catawba Nation will likely have GOOD air quality.

SPECIAL STATEMENT
Stay informed of evacuation orders, air quality alerts, fire danger information, and other public safety advisories in your area.

HEALTH STATEMENT
Smoke can be harmful to your health. Check with your doctor if there are any health concerns and monitor your local air quality conditions using the Fire and Smoke Map.

Plains/Thompson Falls District:  Firefighters will burn up to 10 acres of piles located 3 miles north of Plains. Smoke may be visible from Plains and Highway 200. 

Seeley Ranger District:  Firefighters will burn up to 7 acres of piles at the Camp Paxson Admin site, west of Seeley Lake.  Smoke may be visible from Highway 83 and Seeley Lake. 

Media Contact:

Southern Area Red Team

2025.RattlesnakeBranch@firenet.gov

(828) 519-8242

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch

https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/

Rattlesnake Branch Fire Daily Update -- March 31, 2025

Note: Please drive cautiously on State Route 276 and other roads around the fire. Please do not stop along the side of the road for your protection and the protection of firefighters and equipment.

CRUSO, N.C., March 31, 2025—The Rattlesnake Branch Fire is on private land and the Shining Rock Wilderness Area on Pisgah National Forest around the community of Cruso, approximately 11 miles southeast of Waynesville, North Carolina. It started on March 26, 2025, and quickly spread due to dry conditions and hardwood leaves and branches on the ground. The cause is under investigation.

The fire is approximately 1,865 acres and 21-percent contained. The decrease in acreage is due to better mapping. More than 100 personnel are on the fire.

Yesterday’s ActivitiesFirefighters had another day of minimal fire activity to continue protecting homes and containing the fire. Some fire areas received a few hundredths of an inch of rain, which was less than predicted. Crews mopped up along US-276, Crawford Creek and Cold Creek and continued structure protection and work under powerlines in these areas. They continued to build and improve fire containment lines north of the fire footprint on the east side of the fire, including putting in fire lines around homes.

The Southern Area Red Team met with local firefighters at Lake Logan-Cecil Fire Department to gain situational awareness, and they scouted out areas north and west of the fire to identify structures to be included in protection planning. A drone flew to identify hot spots with infrared technology and map the fire’s perimeter, but the weather limited its use.

Today’s ActivitiesToday, crews will continue to construct, hold and improve fire lines and mop up as necessary, including efforts to secure the fire’s edge around powerlines and private property in Cruso, along US-276, Crawford Creek and Rattlesnake Branch Road. Firefighters will work on fire lines from Cold Creek Road to Burnette Cove Road and identify structures to be protected.

Fire personnel will scout areas around Dix Creek, Chambers Cove and Schoolhouse Branch roads to identify structures needing protection and places to put in fire containment lines to prevent the fire from spreading from the Shining Rock Wilderness Area onto private lands. In the wilderness, firefighters will use only chainsaws, leaf blowers and bucket water drops from helicopters and will coordinate with a resource advisor to protect wilderness values during fire suppression. This includes determining appropriate areas from which to draft water.

A drone is assigned to the fire to help with aerial ignition, mapping and reconnaissance. Other aircraft available include two large helicopters, two small helicopters, two air attack platforms and two and fixed-wing “super scoopers”.

Weather/Fire Behavior: Showers and thunderstorms are likely in the morning after 10 am, with rain amounts up to 0.30 inches. Winds associated with storms may be erratic, strong and potentially damaging. Fire personnel will remain vigilant for stormy weather and will take shelter if necessary. The high temperature is predicted to be in the low 60s and relative humidity 60-65 percent early on, decreasing to around 40 percent later in the day with passage of a frontal system. Winds will be southwest, shifting to west then northwest after 3 p.m., 8-12 mph, gusting to 26 mph.

Fire potential will be moderated again today due to increased moisture. The fire may smolder and creep before and between rain events and areas not receiving rain may become active. Although rain is expected today, it is predicted to be minimal. Air quality information is available at Smoke Outlook for Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina, www.airnow.gov and www.wildlandfiresmoke.net.

Closures and Restrictions: The Pisgah National Forest has issued an area closure of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area to protect the public from wildfire and firefighting operations. This closure includes all National Forest System land between US-276 and NC-215 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway (between mile markers 405 and 420). Please stay safe and keep out of these areas.

Following the statewide burn ban issued for North Carolina, the USDA Forest Service issued a fire restriction on open burning National Forest land, including building, maintaining or using campfires, open stove fires and fire rings, to mitigate wildfire risks. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly!

For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch.

March 31, 2025 

Acres: 2,862 acres                                                                                           Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                    Personnel: 259 

Containment: 8%                                                                                          Fuels: Timber 

Resources: 14 crews | 11 engines | 4 dozers | 1 helicopter 

Highlights: The Big Ridge Fire has received 0.25 inches of rain as of 7:00 a.m. today.  An additional 0.5 to 1.0 inches are expected. This rain will not put the fire out, but it will give firefighters the opportunity to construct direct line where terrain allows. Structure protection specialists from the Georgia Forestry Commission are visiting communities around the Big Ridge Fire along Warwoman Creek. 

Fire Activity: Little fire activity is expected today because of the rain. On the north side of the fire closest to Sky Valley the fire is quiet, and this is where firefighters have achieved containment. Crews will be scouting direct line east from Rabun Bald to Coldspring Gap. Firefighters completed the line from Dan Gap to Walnut Fork on the south yesterday and crews will be improving and holding this line today. Secondary line construction will also continue.

The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations is seeking information regarding the circumstances around the cause of the Big Ridge Fire. If anyone was in the area on March 22, 2025, and observed suspicious activity please call the Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Hotline 1-800-428-7337.

Weather:  Today’s forecast calls for 70 degrees and minimum relative humidity of 50%. Winds will be south with sustained speeds of 5-10 mph and gusts of 20 mph. This evening winds will shift to northwest with sustained speeds of 10-20 mph and gusts up to 35 mph. Tuesday will be much drier and warm.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: A closure order is in place for the vicinity of the Big Ridge Fire. For details visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/gachf-big-ridge-fire

More Information: 

Air Quality: https://www.airnow.gov/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChattOconeeNF              

Email: 2025.BigRidge@firenet.gov 

Fire Information: 770-230-1020    

Big Ridge Fire Recorded Information Line: 706-982-4729                      

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/gachf-big-ridge-fire

Sky Valley
GOOD to MODERATE air expected due to wind shifts and rain. Visibility impacts possible due to the area's high elevation.

SMOKE
Decreased fire activity will likely reduce smoke production, but winds may bring smoke to the area from fires that receive less rainfall. Much of the forecast area will have air quality that is MODERATE to GOOD. Catawba Nation will likely have GOOD air quality. More smoke may arrive Tuesday from a potential increase in fire activity.

SPECIAL STATEMENT
Stay informed of evacuation orders, air quality alerts, fire danger information, and other public safety advisories in your area. Due to erratic winds from incoming thunderstorms and large number of fires in the area, smoke impacts have the potential to change quickly.

HEALTH STATEMENT
Smoke can be harmful to your health. Check with your doctor if there are any health concerns and monitor your local air quality conditions using the Fire and Smoke Map.