Fire Information Update November 13, 2023: Poplar Drive Fire

North Carolina Forest Service: November 13, 2023, The Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County is now 75% contained while being held to 434 acres in size.

Percent containment represents sections of the 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. Read the State of Emergency declaration.

Firefighters will continue to aggressively mop up inside containment lines, patrol around structures, reduce the risk of falling snags, and strengthen containment lines where necessary.

One home, two cabins, and three outbuildings have been lost, while another home sustained damage. Area homes remain threatened, and N.C. 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. Four minor motor vehicle accidents have 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, Edneyville Fire Department along with numerous other fire departments from across the state are responding to the incident.

Fire Behavior: Minimal smoldering remains within the fire footprint. The potential for fire reignition is elevated due to leaf fall and snags.

Weather: Monday’s forecast predicts morning clouds and fog becoming mostly sunny by late morning. Broad high pressure will settle over the area Monday into Tuesday.

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,h and Yancey counties. . 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: 75%; Personnel and Equipment: 98 total personnel