Day 11 of Edneyville wildfire: Forest Service reports it is 75% contained
On Nov. 13, the 11th day of the Poplar Drive Fire in Edneyville, the North Carolina Forest Service reports that the fire is now 75% contained and still 434 acres.
The Forest Service reports that personnel, which had been as high as 400 individuals, is now scaled back to 98.
Henderson County communications chief Mike Morgan said 18 agencies from the county worked on the fire, as well as 48 other agencies from across North Carolina. Morgan said the total number of people helping with the fire was actually higher than 400.
"The 400 number does not include any of the volunteers who worked at Fruitland Baptist Church or those that helped serve food," he said on Nov. 13. "So it's a lot higher than 400."
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, the Forest Service report said.
As of Nov. 13, one home, two cabins and three outbuildings were lost to the fire, while another home sustained damage. Despite increased containment, 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.
More: Edneyville wildfire: Personnel say community support has been overwhelming
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. During the course of the past 11 days, two firefighters sustained minor injuries and both were treated and released. There were also four minor motor vehicle accidents in battling the fire, with no injuries, the Forest Service reported.
Personnel with the N.C. Forest Service, N.C. Emergency Management, Office of State Fire Marshal, Henderson County Emergency Management, Edneyville Fire Department and numerous other fire departments from across the state are still working to contain the fire.
More: Update: Edneyville brush fire grows to 200 acres, 10% containment
This is the latest from the Forest Service:
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. The next chance of rain is Wednesday night after 10 p.m., when there is a 20 percent chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
Burn ban notice: Effective 5 p.m. Nov. 8, a burn ban was issued for Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery,Buncombe, Caldwell, Catawba, Haywood, Iredell, Lincoln, Madison, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Effective 5 p.m. Nov. 5, a burn ban was issued for Burke, Cherokee,Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania counties. 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 pilotsand interferes with firefighting efforts.
Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Firefighters have Edneyville wildfire 75% contained on Day 11
