Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Over the weekend Swain County and surrounding areas were under a high wind advisory and a red flag burn warning issued by the National Forest Service. Downed power lines by fallen trees and high winds sparked wildfires on Saturday that quickly drove through the eastern part of the county into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, according to a press release by the National Park Service.
As of Wednesday, GSMNP reported that the 960-acre Thomas Divide Complex Fire was at 60% contained and the Unified Command Center continued to coordinate suppression efforts with approximately 70 personnel participating as part of ground crews, engine crews, and air operations. “Control lines are well established around the Stone Pile fire section and crews will continue to monitor and address any remaining burning fuels in that area over the next few days,” the GSMNP press release reads. “The larger Cooper Creek Fire section has control lines well established around the southern border and crews will continue to work tomorrow to strengthen northern control lines and to extinguish hot spots within the perimeter.”
It has been all hands-on deck combatting the fires with the North Carolina Forest Service, National Park Service, Swain, Alarka, West Swain, Qualla, Cherokee, Cowee, Burningtown/Iotla, and Savannah Fire Departments, as well as Swain County Emergency Management, and EBCI Bureau of Indian Affairs all responding.
Crews were stationed at Swain East Elementary School, Galbreath Creek Baptist Church, and Great Smoky Mountain Event Park in eastern Swain County over the weekend.
On Monday evening, current head of command, Wildland Fire and Aviation Management Officer Shane Nagle estimated the fire was primarily within the National Park.
“We believe it is about 60/40 right now, with the most active fire that’s moving on National Park lands,” Nagle said. “Right now, we’re approximating 940 acres and about 40% contained.”
Nagle said the goal from the beginning has been protecting homes and privately owned land.
“Our number one focus was protecting private lands and homes down in the lower part of the mountain there and that’s looking to be in good shape.”
Thankfully, there have been no residences burned during the fire.
Some nearby residents evacuate
Sheila Hall, a resident of Shuler Road in Swain, said they considered evacuating over the weekend and having fires so close to their home was nerve-racking.
“It was really scary. We were thinking about evacuating, but thankfully the wind took the fire the other direction away from us,” Hall said by phone Monday. “It is still really smoky today.”
Julie Cook said while she was not evacuated some people in their neighboring communities of Thomas Divide and Stone Pile Gap were.
Air response limited
Although the North Carolina Forest Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs have taken over most of the fire control, Nagle said that local agencies continue to assist.
“We very much have great cooperating agencies right now. The main fire fighting folks are the Bureau of Indian Affairs resources, National Park resources, NC Forest Service resources,” he said. “The Bryson City Fire department has been great for us and a number of other county fire departments that have been helping us and continue to.”
With strong wind gusts causing the fire, they have also limited air resources, Nagle said.
“Unfortunately, aviation has kind of been limited because of those real gusty winds. Anytime we get above 25 mph, it's really unsafe to put aircraft in the air and ineffective. The helicopter drops, and once the water gets hit by 25 mph winds, it just disperses,” he said. “Today was a good day, early in the day, we had the K-max, a big type 1 helicopter, that aviation asset was really able to on the front side of the hill here really helped button up some of those hot spots and smoky areas, but again the smoke that you continue to see is in the park away from private structures.”
Community support and thanks
Several in the community have supported the rescue efforts.
Coopers Creek General store stayed open over until 2 a.m. Sunday morning for firefighters and crews to stop in and get free coffee, drinks, and snacks. The store also had their fuel supplier bring in extra fuel so that crews could fill up their vehicles.
“The firefighters were coming in pretty tired and thirsty that night, so we wanted to do whatever we could to help them. We are very thankful to them, protecting our community,” said Coopers Creek General Store owners, Richard and Jodee Boismier. “We want to do whatever we can do for our community.”
Even PAWS Animal Shelter pitched in to help, sharing on Facebook that the animal agency could provide crates and carriers for any household pets needing to evacuate with their families.
Swain Emergency Services and Director David Breedlove would like to thank the community for coming together throughout the fires and donating to those fighting the blaze.
“Thank you so much to the community for bringing plenty of water, food, and snacks over the weekend and the beginning of the week to support firefighters. We currently have no more need for that, and we are very appreciative,” Breedlove said on Tuesday.
Wind advisory still in effect
The risk of fire continues, with Swain County under a wind advisory through at least Thursday morning.
In the Smokies, Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails remain closed as do several other trails and backcountry campsites in the area of the fire.
The Park Service also closed several roads Wednesday including Newfound Gap due to the high winds and risk of falling trees. For the latest information, visit https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.