Mars Hill, NC, December 1, 2022 – Pockets of vegetation in the interior of the Hurricane Ridge Fire continue to burn where fuels are receptive due to winds and low relative humidity, even following the significant rainfall received on the fire. Smoke is visible again today along the Interstate 40 corridor as firefighters assess the amount of remaining hot spots. The fire remains at approximately 700 acres and 40% contained.

The Hurricane Creek Fire has been burning since November 23 along Interstate 40 in the Harmon Den area on the US Forest Service Appalachian Ranger District in Haywood County, NC. The fire is located east of Interstate 40, south of Cold Springs Road (Exit 7) and north of Hurricane Creek Road. The fire is spreading east through the remote Hurricane Creek Drainage.



Yesterday, access was limited to the interior of the fire due to hazardous road conditions caused by rainfall Wednesday morning. Aerial reconnaissance was also limited due to high winds. Today, firefighters are continuing to monitor and patrol the firelines, as well as extinguishing hot spots along the edge of the fire area. Fire managers are assessing access to hot spots in the interior of the fire. Most of these hot spots are in small areas with heavy fuels.

An aerial reconnaissance flight is planned for this afternoon to provide fire managers with a better picture of how much vegetation is still burning in the interior of the fire. This information will determine the suppression strategy over the next couple days. Rainfall is expected in the area again beginning Friday night and into the weekend.

While smoke is visible along Interstate 40, the smoke is not expected to impact visibility for drivers. Still, drivers are urged to use caution in the area in case conditions change.

Haynes Road (FSRD #233 – locally called Hurricane Creek Road) and Brady Road (FSRD #3526) remain closed at this time. The public is asked to avoid recreating in the area as to not interfere with firefighting operation. 57 firefighters from the US Forest Service and North Carolina Forest Service are responding. The response effort is supported by Haywood County Emergency Management and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT).

The cause of the Hurricane Ridge Fire remains under investigation.