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Wildfires Along Tennessee / North Carolina State Line Impacting Western NC

Multiple large fires burning along the Tennessee and North Carolina state line are impacting communities in Western North Carolina.

The Cherokee National Forest, North Carolina Forest Service, and Tennessee Division of Forestry, along with multiple cooperating agencies, are working to control the State Line Fire burning near Hot Springs, NC. The fire is located in Cocke County, TN and Madison County, NC, approximately 5 miles west of Hot Springs and 15 miles east of Newport, TN. Highway 25/70 was closed temporarily but has now reopened.

The Cherokee National Forest and Tennessee Division of Forestry are also working to control the Railroad Grade Fire in the Roan Mountain Area. The fire is located in Carter County, TN at White Rocks Mountain approximately 6 miles southeast of Hampton, TN. To protect public safety, a 7.2 mile portion of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) has been temporarily detoured to Forest Road 293 at Bitter End off Buck Mountain Road.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs – Eastern Cherokee Agency is also responding to multiple fires near Cherokee, NC.

Smoke impacts from wildfires have been reported in cities across Western North Carolina. The public can expect to continue to see smoke in the region through the weekend.