Fire Information Morning Update

November 10, 2023; Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County is 434 acres and is 30% contained.

Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters. A State of Emergency has been issued by Governor Cooper due to existing and potential wildfires in North Carolina. 

Yesterday’s strategic firing operation along Kyles Creek Road was a success, strengthening containment lines along the western boundary. Today firefighters continue to mop up smoldering pockets around the fire, using water handling equipment for spraying water and hand tools for exposing heat within the duff soil layer. “The mop-up process is going to take some time, but we have a drone flying the fire at night to find the greatest sources of heat and we are trying our best to tackle those with as much water and personnel as possible. The rhododendron and brush are thick and still have a good bit of leaves on. The soil around the roots is loose due to the fire eating away the organic material around those roots, causing them to be weak. If the vegetation falls over and the leaves fall onto the smoldering areas, the fire could reignite and throw embers. In some areas the vegetation is so thick, firefighters have to cut their way into the brush to get to the heat to put water on it,” notes Operations Section Chief Dwayne Vigil.

One home, two cabins and two outbuildings have been lost, while another home sustained damage. Area homes remain threatened, and Forest Service personnel, county fire department and sheriff’s office staff are continually assessing the needs of those structures. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries and both were treated and released. One minor motor vehicle accident has been reported with no injuries.

Personnel with the N.C. Forest Service, N.C. Emergency Management, Office of State Fire Marshal, Henderson County Emergency Management, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Edneyville Fire Department along with numerous other fire departments from across the state are responding to the incident.

Fire Behavior: Minimal backing, creeping and smoldering fire behavior within the fire imprint indicates low-intensity fire activity. Potential for fire reignition is elevated due to leaf fall and snags.

Weather: A front will remain stalled just south of the area through the weekend. Light rain is also expected over portions of North Carolina, with best chances of rain being Friday and early Sunday. Significant rainfall is not expected. Next week trends toward the return of warm and dry weather, with highs in the 70s.

Burn Ban Notice: Effective 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, a burn ban has been issued for Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Catawba, Haywood, Iredell, Lincoln, Madison, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Read the news release here Effective 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, a burn ban was issued for Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania counties. Read the full news release. Both bans remain in effect until further notice.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 7,500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_8718.html. Flying drones within a TFR designated area is unlawful. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.

Acreage: 434 acres; Containment: 30%; Personnel and Equipment: 199 total personnel