Wildfire Alert: Firefighters Battle Multiple Blazes in Nantahala National Forest
By Marge | Published 2026-04-17T20:24:48.602Z
News
WNC -- April 17, 2026: Firefighting crews and aviation resources are currently engaged with two active wildfires in the Nantahala National Forest following a spike in activity this past Thursday.
WNC -- April 17, 2026: Firefighting crews and aviation resources are currently engaged with two active wildfires in the Nantahala National Forest following a spike in activity this past Thursday. While two smaller fires were quickly suppressed, the Sawmill Branch Fire and the Flat Rattlesnake Fire remain active, prompting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions across all four National Forests in North Carolina.Active Fire StatusSawmill Branch FireLocation: 12 miles east of Robbinsville (near Otter Creek Road