Over the weekend, a wildfire in Jackson County blazed through approximately 125 acres within the Nantahala National Forest.
Initially reported on November 4, the East Fork Fire is situated in the Savannah Fire District, as per a recent Facebook update by the U.S. Forest Service – National Forests in North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the fire has been partially contained, with 50% of the area under control.
The cause of the fire remains unidentified, with a few structures in the vicinity at risk, as mentioned by fire officials. Crews are actively safeguarding these threatened structures. The fire continues to exhibit intense behavior, spreading across steep and rugged terrain, as highlighted in the social media post. Firefighters are diligently establishing containment lines and executing burn-out operations where feasible, considering the terrain and weather conditions. Currently, the scene involves the presence of three 20-person hand crews, one dozer, two engines, and additional resources. Responding to the emergency are the U.S. Forest Service, N.C. Forest Service, and Savannah Volunteer Fire Department. Notably, the East Fork Fire marks the third major wildfire in recent weeks, exacerbating the challenges faced by several Western North Carolina counties due to a severe drought.
