Wildfires Still Affecting Many Areas

Fire crews over the weekend continued working on a wildfire affecting part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fire, being dubbed the Thomas Divide Complex Dire, is on the southeast side of the park near Bryson City, N.C. It’s called a complex fire, as it is comprised of two wildfires including the Stone Pile Fire and the Cooper Creek Fire. Ignition of both fires has been confirmed to have been caused by downed power lines due to high winds and fallen trees outside the park’s boundaries, but then spread to within the park. The Complex Fire is 30% contained with approximately 46% of the affected 750 acres being inside park boundaries. Many backcountry campsites are closed in that area of the park and camp fires are prohibited. Many trails are closed including Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road.