ALARKA #5
ACRES BURNED
1575
STATE
North Carolina
ORIGIN COUNTY
Swaincontainment
85%
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Recent Hotspots
Recent Hotspots are heat signatures detected by satellites within the last 7 days.
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Flame Animation
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35.3588957117554, -83.4169484101113
{6BA544B0-41E2-45B6-A81D-7327A4F3A47A}
2025-03-26
TIMELINE
8 days
March 26
Detected
April 3
LAST UPDATED
Incident Data
CAUSE
Undetermined
BEHAVIOR
MinimalNearest CITY
Bryson CityPRIMARY FUEL TYPE?
Hardwood LitterDescription
5 Miles SSE of Bryson City. South of HWY 74 and north of Alarka Road
Response
Lead Protecting AGENCY
DFR
TOTAL PERSONNEL
20
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
Private
(Private)
WEATHER
Nearby Air Quality
AQI
*
35.3588957117554, -83.4169484101113
* mph • *
forecast
From the Web
External data is not official
This information is compiled automatically, and is not confirmed by a human reviewer.
2025-04-03 20:01:11.0179872025-04-03 20:01:11.017987
1. Start Time & Info
**Start Date/Time/Location** The Alarka Five Fire started on March 25, 2025, in Swain County, North Carolina, approximately five miles south of Bryson City[3][5]. **Size and Containment** As of the latest updates, the fire has burned 1,511 acres and is 37% contained[3][5]. **Growth and Rate of Spread** Initially, the fire was reported at 1,042 acres with 10% containment. It has since grown, but the rate of spread has been minimal due to recent rain and high humidity[2][3]. **Containment Efforts** Fire crews have been working to protect homes and control the fire. Despite the challenging terrain, the containment efforts have been aided by recent rain, although the fire still exhibits smoldering behavior[1][3][5].
2. Evacuations & Closures
**Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Current Status** There are no evacuation orders currently in place for the Alarka Five Fire. Previous evacuation orders have been lifted, and residents are allowed to return to their homes[3][5]. **Evacuation Shelters and Information** Although there are no active evacuation orders, an emergency shelter was available at Transylvania County Parks and Recreation, located at 1078 Ecusta Rd #9, for other nearby fires. However, this is not specifically for the Alarka Five Fire[3]. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** - There are no specific road closures reported directly related to the Alarka Five Fire. However, residents are advised to stay informed about any changes in the fire situation and potential impacts on local infrastructure[3]. **For more information, visit:** - [North Carolina Public Wildfire Viewer]: This resource provides up-to-date information on wildfire locations, containment, and evacuation levels. - [Swain County Emergency Management Facebook page]: For specific updates on the Alarka Five Fire. - [Transylvania County website]: Although primarily focused on other fires in the area, it provides general information on wildfire situations and evacuation levels.
3. Current Impact
**Impacts:** **Structures Impacted** The fire has destroyed one house and one camper since it started[1][3][5]. **Injuries and Fatalities** There are no reported fatalities or injuries directly attributed to the Alarka Five Fire. **School and Business Closures** While the fire itself has not led to school closures, nearby fires have prompted indoor activities for schools due to poor air quality[2]. **Notable Impacts** The fire has primarily affected state forest lands with minimal impact on private property[5]. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages** There are no reported power outages directly related to the Alarka Five Fire. **Water Safety** No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans** A statewide open burning ban remains in effect due to the ongoing fire danger[3][5]. **Air Quality** While the fire contributes to poor air quality, recent rain has helped alleviate some of these concerns. Residents are still advised to monitor local air quality advisories[2].
4. Current Outlook
**Containment Projections** Firefighters continue to work on containing the fire, with the current containment at 37%. The recent rain has aided in these efforts, but the fire situation remains dynamic[3][5]. **Weather and Wind Warnings** There are no current Red Flag or High Wind Warnings specifically for the Alarka Five Fire area. However, the region is expected to receive more rain, which should help in controlling the fire[1][3].
5. Weather info
**Cause** The cause of the Alarka Five Fire is still under investigation[3][5]. **Weather and Climate** The fire has been influenced by recent weather conditions, including high humidity and mild winds, which have helped in minimizing fire behavior. The area has also received some rain, which has assisted in containment efforts. However, a burn ban remains in place due to the ongoing fire danger and dry conditions[1][3][5].
Citations
['https://wlos.com/news/local/north-carolina-wildfires-evacuation-orders-lifted-rain-storms-polk-county-black-cove-complex-deep-woods-alarka-five-fire-rattlesnake-branch-haywood-table-rock-south-upstate-transylvania', 'https://wlos.com/news/local/live-updates-march-28-table-rock-fire-reaches-up-to-the-north-carolina-state-line', 'https://wpde.com/news/local/live-updates-march-29-wildfires-swain-county-transylvania-county-firefighters-wnc-fires-burn-ban-rain', 'https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf', 'https://wpde.com/news/local/live-updates-march-29-wildfires-swain-county-transylvania-county-firefighters-wnc-fires-burn-ban-rain?photo=2']