Rattlesnake Branch

1. Start Time & Info

**Start Date/Time/Location** The Rattlesnake Branch Fire began on March 26, 2025, near Cruso, North Carolina, approximately 11 miles southeast of Waynesville[1][3]. **Size and Containment** As of April 1, 2025, the fire has burned 1,865 acres and is 24% contained[1]. **Growth and Rate of Spread** The fire rapidly spread due to dry conditions in the hardwood leaf litter and extended into the Shining Rock Wilderness Area within the Pisgah National Forest. However, fire activity and spread have subsided following rainfall on March 30 and 31[1][3]. **Containment Efforts** The incident is being managed by a unified command involving Steve Parrish, Jay Mickey, and Mike Dueitt of the USFS CIMT. Efforts include point protection, strategic firing, protecting values at risk, and establishing containment lines using existing roads and areas adjacent to the wilderness area[1].

2. Evacuations & Closures

**Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Orders and Warnings** While specific evacuation orders for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire are not detailed, nearby areas such as Transylvania County have mandatory evacuation orders in place due to other fires in the region. Residents are advised to stay informed and prepare evacuation plans if necessary[2]. **Evacuation Shelters and Information** Residents can use interactive maps provided by local authorities to determine their evacuation zones. For example, Polk County officials have an interactive map available for residents to check their evacuation status[2]. **Curfew** No specific curfew information is provided for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, but residents should follow any local curfew orders issued due to the broader fire situation. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** - While specific road closures for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire are not listed, nearby areas have road closures. For instance, East Fork Road in Transylvania County is closed from the East Fork entrance of Connestee Falls to Glady Fork Road due to other fires in the area[2]. **For more information, visit:** - [InciWeb's Rattlesnake Branch Fire page]: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch - [North Carolina Public Wildfire Viewer]: https://www.ncforestservice.gov/fire_awareness/wildfire_viewer.htm - [Polk County Fire Information and Updates]: https://www.polkcountync.org/fire-information-and-updates/

3. Current Impact

**Impacts:** **Injuries and Fatalities** There are no reported fatalities or injuries directly attributed to the Rattlesnake Branch Fire[1][3]. **Structures Impacted** No structures have been reported destroyed or damaged specifically due to the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, although nearby fires have resulted in losses (e.g., one house and one camper lost in the Alarka Five Fire)[2]. **School and Business Closures** No specific school or business closures are reported for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, but broader fire conditions may affect local operations. **Notable Impacts** The fire has extended into the Shining Rock Wilderness Area, affecting natural resources and potentially impacting local ecosystems. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages** No specific power outages are reported for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire area. **Water Safety** No water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans** A statewide open burning ban remains in effect due to extreme fire danger[2]. **Air Quality** Transylvania County remains in a Code Red for air quality due to nearby fires, but the Rattlesnake Branch Fire's impact on air quality is minimal at this time[2].

4. Current Outlook

**Containment Projections** The estimated containment date for the fire is April 10, 2025. Firefighters anticipate minimal fire activity in the short term due to recent rainfall, but a drying and warmer trend is expected into the weekend, which could increase fire activity[1]. **Weather and Wind Warnings** A much drier day is expected after the cold front that brought rainfall moves off the coast. High temperatures are expected to be around 70 degrees with minimum relative humidity values in the lower 30% range. Wind directions will shift from northwest to south/southeast[1].

5. Weather info

**Cause** The cause of the Rattlesnake Branch Fire is currently under investigation[1][3]. **Weather and Climate** The fire is being fueled by dry conditions in the hardwood leaf litter. Recent rainfall has helped subside fire activity, but the area is expected to dry out again, increasing the risk of fire spread. The fire is also influenced by hardwood slash and shrub understory of Laurel and Rhododendron thickets, with live fuel moistures below critical levels[1]. The ongoing dry and warm weather conditions, typical of the region during this time, are exacerbating the fire's spread and intensity.

Citations

['http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch', 'https://abcnews4.com/newsletter-daily/live-updates-march-29-2025-western-north-carolina-fire-wildfire?photo=3', 'https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/news-events/', 'https://www.instagram.com/hay.co.nc/reel/DH6J3OfRslz/', 'https://inciweb-prod-media-bucket.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2025-03/Rattlesnake%20Branch%20Fire%20Update%20--%20March%2031%202025.pdf?VersionId=K5dnIN.j1_UjvZolMl3Rk5psv2uWdcTO']