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Contact: Dana Soehn, 865-436-1207
Contact: Rhonda Wise, 865-250-9829
Contact: Ruthie Edwards, 828-399-0373
Great Smoky Mountains National Park fire officials reported that the Thomas Divide Complex Fire is now 40 % contained. Park firefighters and multiple agencies continued fire suppression efforts to extinguish the Thomas Divide Complex Fire east of Bryson City, North Carolina. The complex is comprised of two wildfires including the Stone Pile Fire and the Cooper Creek Fire.
Today’s wind speeds decreased enough to allow air support efforts to resume, after being shut down yesterday due to excessive wind speeds. The fire has affected approximately 950 acres, with 39% of the affected area being inside park boundaries and 61% being Swain County private property. No permanent structures have been lost.
The Unified Command Center continues to coordinate the suppression efforts with approximately 70 personnel from the National Park Service, North Carolina Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bryson City Fire Department, Swain County Emergency Services, and Jackson County Emergency Management. Firefighters will continue suppression efforts tomorrow from both ground and air, if wind speeds allow.
The following areas remain closed: Backcountry campsites 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60; Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road; Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork, and Loop trails. Toms Branch Road near Deep Creek is also closed. The Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area are not scheduled to open for the season until April 15.
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Last updated: March 29, 2022