Wildfires spread across Western NC, statewide burn ban remains in effect

Smoke from new fires in western North Carolina is another reminder that the statewide burn ban still affects daily life in Buncombe County, where outdoor burning, fire pits and backyard cleanup fires remain off-limits as crews work through a fast-moving wildfire stretch.

Firefighters and aircraft responded Saturday, April 11, to four new fires on National Forest land totaling 63 acres, with two of them topping 5 acres. The largest, the Cole Gap Fire, was estimated at 55 acres and 50% contained by Sunday, April 12, about 6 miles west of Cashiers. Smoke from that fire was visible from Buck Creek, Cashiers, Norton, Highlands and nearby areas, and the U.S. Forest Service warned drivers to use caution on Buck Creek Road because firefighters were working along roadways and visibility was dropping.

Farther west, the Cold Springs Fire was first reported Friday, April 11, about 15 miles north of Lake Junaluska. By April 12, it had grown to about 7 acres and was 50% contained. Aircraft made water and retardant drops while crews cut containment lines in steep, rocky, heavily vegetated terrain. Cold Springs Road, also known as FSR 148, remained closed from I-40 to Brown Gap Road, and the closure added another layer of concern for people moving through the I-40 corridor.

The burn ban that now covers all 100 counties began at 6 p.m. on March 28 and remains in effect until further notice. It prohibits all open burning statewide, including fire pits and outdoor fireplaces more than 100 feet from an occupied dwelling. Violators face a $100 fine, $183 in court costs and possible suppression expenses. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has said the restriction is meant to cut down on new fire starts.

State fire data show why officials are still sounding the alarm. Preliminary reports for April 9 showed 43 wildfires burned 51.5 acres in North Carolina in a single day, and year to date the Forest Service has logged 3,393 fires and 8,845.9 acres burned on private and state-owned land. The agency says careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina.

Officials also say the danger may not fade quickly. North Carolina Forest Service foresters have warned that Helene debris could intensify wildfire risk for 10 to 20 years, because downed timber adds fuel and slows access for responders. In a region still rebuilding from Helene, that means one spark can threaten homes, forests and infrastructure all over again.