Rattlesnake Branch

1. Start Time & Info

**Start Date/Time/Location** The Rattlesnake Branch Fire started on March 26, 2025, near the community of Cruso, approximately 11 miles southeast of Waynesville, North Carolina, within the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of Pisgah National Forest[1][2][3]. **Size and Containment** As of April 1, 2025, the fire has burned approximately 1,865 acres and is 24% contained. The reduction in reported acreage is due to better mapping[1][3]. **Growth and Rate of Spread** The fire quickly spread due to dry conditions of the hardwood leaves and branches on the ground. However, recent rainfall on March 30 and 31 has helped to subside fire activity and spread[1][2][3]. **Containment Efforts** The Southern Area Red Team, led by incident commanders from the U.S. Forest Service, is managing the response. Nearly 160 personnel are involved in the firefighting efforts, which include holding fire containment lines, patrolling for hot spots, mopping up, and conducting structure protection in various areas[1][3].

2. Evacuations & Closures

**Evacuations and Sheltering:** **No Mandatory Evacuations** There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place. However, some residents had voluntarily left their homes but have since returned[3]. **Area Closures** The Pisgah National Forest has issued an area closure of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area to protect the public from wildfire and firefighting operations. This closure includes all National Forest System land between US-276 and NC-215 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway (between mile markers 405 and 420)[1]. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** - The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed between mile markers 405-420. - Areas between Highways 215 and 276 are closed for recreation with no trail access[3]. **For more information, visit:** - [InciWeb Rattlesnake Branch Fire page]: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch - [National Forests in North Carolina Facebook page]: https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/ - [WLOS News Updates on Rattlesnake Branch Fire]: https://wlos.com/news/local/united-states-forest-service-uses-high-technology-drone-map-fight-rattlesnake-branch-fire-haywood-county-cruso-shining-rock-wilderness-area

3. Current Impact

**Impacts:** **Injuries and Fatalities** There are no reported fatalities or injuries directly related to the Rattlesnake Branch Fire[1][2][3]. **Structures Impacted** No structures have been reported as destroyed or damaged. Firefighters have been focusing on structure protection, particularly in the Barnette Cove Road area and around Cruso[1][3]. **School and Business Closures** There are no specific school or business closures reported due to the fire[1][2][3]. **Notable Impacts** The fire has impacted the Shining Rock Wilderness Area and surrounding communities, but no notable structures or landmarks have been damaged[1][2][3]. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages** There are no reported power outages directly related to the fire. **Water Safety** No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans** A statewide burn ban is in effect for North Carolina, and the USDA Forest Service has issued a fire restriction on open burning on National Forest land to mitigate wildfire risks[1]. **Air Quality** While smoke from the fire may pose health risks, recent rainfall has helped reduce fire activity, which in turn has improved air quality[1][2][3].

4. Current Outlook

**Containment Projections** Firefighters anticipate minimal fire activity in the short term due to recent rainfall. However, a drying and warmer trend is expected into the weekend, which could increase fire activity. The estimated containment date is April 10, 2025[1][2]. **Weather and Wind Warnings** A drier day is expected following the recent rainfall, with lower relative humidity values and wind shifts. High temperatures are expected to be around 70 degrees with minimum relative humidity values in the lower 30% range[2].

5. Weather info

**Cause** The cause of the Rattlesnake Branch Fire remains under investigation[1][2][3]. **Weather and Climate** The fire was fueled by dry conditions of hardwood leaves and branches on the ground. Recent rainfall has helped to reduce fire activity, but a return to dry and warmer conditions is expected, which could exacerbate the fire's spread and intensity[1][2][3]. The use of high-tech drones by the U.S. Forest Service has aided in mapping the fire and identifying hot spots, helping to mitigate the impact of these weather conditions[3].

Citations

['http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch/rattlesnake-branch-daily-update-04-01-2025', 'http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch', 'https://wlos.com/news/local/united-states-forest-service-uses-high-technology-drone-map-fight-rattlesnake-branch-fire-haywood-county-cruso-shining-rock-wilderness-area']