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"Tell the Story" map for Rattlesnake Branch Fire April 6, 2025
On April 10, 2025 at 6pm, management of the Rattlesnake Branch Fire was transferred back to Pisgah National Forest. For information, call 828-257-4200.
On April 6, a final update was posted for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire. The fire Information number: 828-519-8242 remains active.
Final update: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-maps-gallery/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch#"tell-the-story"-map-for-rattlesnake-branch-fire-april-6,-2025-160195
On April 5, theSouthern Area Red CIMT "right-sized" for the incident, leaving a smaller organization to wrap-up the final work and be available for initial attack, if needed.
Moving forward, unless there is more fire activity, we will not be posting a daily update. Rather, we will be posting a "Tell-the-Story" map with bullets explaining our activiies for the day. The map will be highlighted here on inciweb.
The Rattlesnake Branch Fire began on March 26, 2025, near Cruso, North Carolina, about 11 miles southeast of Waynesville. The fire rapidly spread, fueled by dry conditions in the hardwood leaf litter, and extended into the Shining Rock Wilderness Area within the Pisgah National Forest. Fire activity and spread have subsided following rainfall on March 30 and 31. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
| Current as of | Wed, 04/09/2025 - 11:37 |
|---|---|
| Incident Time Zone | America/New_York |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | undetermined |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | Cruso Community, approximately 11 miles SE of Waynesville |
| Incident Commander | Dave Walker, Incident Commander, USFS |
| Coordinates |
35° 24' 50'' Latitude
-82° 48' 52
'' Longitude
|
| Total Personnel: | 55 |
|---|---|
| Size | 1,843 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 26% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 04/10/2025 |
| Fuels Involved | Hardwood Litter Dormant Brush, Hardwood Slash Narrative: The primary carrier of fire is hardwood litter (FM9) with excessive 10 hour storm debris. Secondary fuel is shrub understory of Laurel and Rhododendron thickets. Live fuel moistures have been below critical levels. |
| Significant Events | Minimal Minimal fire behavior, smoldering |
| Planned Actions |
Div A/D/Z: Continue to patrol and mop up around structures as needed, supported by UAS modular.
DIV G/J/M: Support A/D/Z, as needed. Available for IA R is unstaffed. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Minimal fire activity. Drying conditions in place. 24 hours: Drying conditions return with higher temperatures and winds. 48 hours: Heavy rain event expected will remove fire behavior concerns. 72 hours: Post frontal dry air will bring next increase in fire danger. Anticipated after 72 hours:Post frontal dry air will bring next increase in fire danger. |
| Remarks |
SA CIMT#1 transferred command of the Rattlesnake Branch Fire to a scaled down Red Team Type 3 at 0600 on 04/05/2025. 8a - The area within the wilderness will utilize a confine strategy. The total acreage was divided to reflect full suppression and confine strategies at 72% confine and 28% full suppression. The percentage of the 28% full suppression that has been achieved is 24% as reflected in block 8a. |
| Weather Concerns | Forecast Saturday 4/5: Partly cloudy conditions are in place with temperatures trending upwards. Strong southerly flow will keep relative humidity around average values. Very windy across ridge tops from mainly a southerly or southwesterly direction, especially today and Sunday. Overnight recoveries should be good through Sunday morning. A strong, rainy cold front arrives Sunday, accompanied w/strong winds. A drying trend will begin on Monday through the majority of the week.. |
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