Louisiana Statewide Burn Ban: The state of Louisiana has declared a statewide burn ban to include any open flame outdoors. The message from the State Fire Marshal’s Office is “don’t burn anything” until further notice. Citations and arrests ARE happening across this state in partnership with local and state law enforcement agencies. 

Tiger Island Fire: The Tiger Island Fire was first reported on Tuesday, August 22nd. The fire is located east of Merryville, south of Hwy 190, SW of DeRidder and North of Singer. The fire is burning in pine plantations of multiple ages. Access to portions of the fire area is difficult. Fuel loads in these pine plantations are high. Heavy residual fuels because of Hurricane Laura in 2020 exist and contribute to extreme fire behavior.  

Acreage: 31,342 acres Containment: 50%  

Personnel and Equipment: 347 total personnel; 8 Helicopters, 2 fixed-wing aircraft, 15 Type-6 Engines, 6 Type-2 Tractor Plow Units, 16 Dozers, and 5 Ambulances. Additional support is being provided by the National Guard, Parish authorities, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal Team, Beauregard Sherriff’s office, and the Office of Emergency Preparedness. The National Guard is supporting with Black Hawk helicopters and 4 dozers and the fire response is using Large Air Tankers, Scoopers, and Air Attacks.  

Operations: Wednesday’s operations reported increased fire activity near Hoosier creek on the western side of the fire and near Shin Road on the northwestern edge of the fire perimeter. Crews focused on these areas that were retaining heat and continued to establish dozer line and conduct mop up to ensure containment. Along the northern perimeter, dozers were able to connect containment line into a creek, while crews also identified a contingency line to the north of the dozer line. On the northeastern and eastern perimeters, the National Guard dozers have established containment lines giving access to engines to conduct patrol and mop up operations. The structure protection group continues to coordinate with local parishes on water usage in all areas of the fire. They also continue to assess fire hydrants and ensure structure protection resources are in place if needed.  

Weather and Fire Behavior: A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. for hot, very dry conditions with wind gusts up to 17 mph. Temperatures will continue to be in the mid to high 90s, and humidity levels will remain in the low 20s. Due to the unseasonably low humidity, the air temperature and heat index are identical, similar to conditions normally seen in west Texas, not Louisiana. Fuels remain critically dry and, combined with gusty winds, have the potential to produce extreme fire behavior.  

Air Quality: Increasing smoke in localized areas of the fire could occur due to hotter and drier weather. Expect some smoke on roads adjacent to the fire, especially in the Merryville area. If we have active fire behavior with fire progression, or new starts, there could be high levels of smoke for short durations in the vicinity of the fire. For near time air quality information see EPA's Fire and Smoke Map: https://fire.airnow.gov/  

Temporary Flight Restriction: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fire area; information is at Federal Aviation Administration website. This is necessary to protect aerial operations. If there are intrusions into the Temporary Flight Restrictions, we must ground all aircraft.  

Evacuations: Updates on evacuations and shelters can be found on the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/beauregardsheriff.  

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.

Bee Rock Creek Fire Update for 4/23/25 – Grandfather Ranger District – McDowell County 

The Bee Rock Creek Fire area in McDowell County received about a quarter inch of rain in the last 48 hours and more rain is expected through Thursday. The 2,085-acre fire is now 94% contained. 

This is the final daily update. Follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc for additional information.

The National Forests in North Carolina closed the area of the Bee Rock Creek Fire between Armstrong Creek Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway for public safety. 

Some sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are also closed. Check the National Park Service website for details before visiting.

Fire and fuels personnel successfully completed 73 acres on the Tahoe National Forest Camp Underburn today. Resources will remain on scene through the night to monitor. Ignitions are planned to begin again tomorrow, April 23. 

Low intensity fire now can help reduce the risk of high intensity fire later.

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

Start Date: April 12, 2025   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 29%  Total Personnel: 179

ROBBINSVILLE, N.C., April 22, 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 – The burnout operation on the south side of the fire between Little Santeetlah Creek and Santeetlah Road (FSR 81) on Monday was successful in consuming the burnable vegetation near the established firelines in this area and securing this portion of the fire. Crews on the ground were supported by two heavy helicopters throughout the day. Precipitation began falling on the fire area late on Monday and continued throughout the night.

Today’s Activities – Precipitation is expected to continue across the fire area today, greatly reducing fire activity. Fire crews will patrol roads along and near the fire perimeter throughout the day, mopping up any smoke or heat they encounter. Hoselays near the Memorial Loop remain in place. The public should use caution on all area roads and avoid travel near the fire. 

Weather and Smoke – Today will be mostly cloudy with rain and rain showers throughout the day with a chance of thunderstorms. Rain amounts of up to 0.75 inches are likely with rain continuing tonight and tomorrow. Although reduced, 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 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 (TR 43). 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 - A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) continues in effect for the area around the fire. No public aircraft of any type, including drones (UAS), are allowed within the TFR area. Unauthorized drone use near a fire poses serious risks to firefighters and forces suspension of aerial firefighting operations. If you fly, we can’t.

Firefighters increased containment to 50% on the 2,085-acre Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County yesterday. Most of the added containment is next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although the east and west sides of the fire are uncontained, firefighters used drones with infrared cameras and found little to no heat near firelines. Crews also repaired areas disturbed by suppression activities.

The fire area is predicted to receive about 1/3 inch of rain today. 

Nearly all of the personnel assigned to the fire will demobilize to return home or to other incidents. 

The National Forests in North Carolina closed the area of the Bee Rock Creek Fire between Armstrong Creek Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway for public and firefighter safety. 

Some sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are also closed. Check the National Park Service website for details before visiting.

PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., April 21, 2025— The San Juan National Forest’s Pagosa Ranger District is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in the Turkey Springs area starting as early as April 30th. The 885-acre Brockover-Devil Prescribed Fire project is located 8 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs.

Project area specifics:

• Location: Turkey Springs area, approximately ½ mile from the Hatcher Subdivision, immediately adjacent to NFSR roads 629 (Lower Turkey Springs) and 923 (Newt Jack Road).
• Smoke Impacts: During operations smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, PLPOA, County Rd 600 between Highway 160 and Piedra River Trailhead, and Highway 160 between Timberline Ridge and downtown Pagosa Springs. Smoke monitoring will be conducted, and ignitions will be scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information can be found online: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
• Why: The Pagosa Ranger District has implemented multiple vegetation treatments in the Brockover and Turkey Springs areas. This work reduces hazardous fuels, such as pine litter, dried needle cast and brush. Prescribed fire can reduce the risk of wildfire impacting communities and infrastructure under less favorable conditions. In addition, reducing surface fuels promotes new grass and forb growth, providing forage for many wildlife species.
• Closures: No official closures are in place but there will be traffic control on NFSR 629 and 923 during operations.  Forest users should avoid National Forest System Trails 305, 313, 316 and portions of 301, 302 and 323 during burn operations. 

Burning operations may take place over multiple days, but are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Prescribed burns may be changed or canceled last-minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance.  

Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb. For more information, please contact Brian Austin, Pagosa Ranger District Fuels Specialist at brian.austin@usda.gov. or by phone at (970) 264-2268. 

For information about the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

-USDA-

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