Sumter National Forest

Updated Hurricane Helene Pisgah Ranger District Closures

Roads:

Appalachian Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures

Our staff on the Appalachian Ranger District, in cooperation with partners and volunteers, have made great progress clearing debris and repairing damage from Hurricane Helene on the Pisgah National Forest.

Roan Mountain Fire Restrictions

Fire restrictions are now in effect for the Roan Mountain area of Appalachian Ranger District due to heightened fire danger caused by Hurricane Helene. The fire restriction is in effect on all National Forest System land from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats on the

Pisgah National Forest Driving Safety Alert

Please use caution as you travel in and around the Forest. We have a lot of heavy equipment and repair crews in the area working on roads damaged during Hurricane Helene. Up to 2,000 tons of gravel are being placed EVERY DAY on our Forest Service roads through the summer and fall.

Paint Rock Closure

Effective through May 1, 2035, certain National Forest System lands in the Paint Rock area, located on the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest and the Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest, will be closed to protect cultural resources.

Grandfather Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures

The following recreation sites and trails remain closed:McDowell County:

Part of the Awendaw Trail temporarily closed

Part of the Awendaw Trail from Buck Hall landing to Reverend Perry Road is temporarily closed to protect public safety while a contractor conducts forestry operations in the area.

Garlington School Road closed between FSR 366E and E91-7 (Enoree RD)

Garlington School Road is closed between FSR 366E and E91-7 for needed bridge maintenance. We will update when the bridge has been repaired.

FSR 1047 closed due to culvert failure (Enoree RD)

Forest Service Road 1047 (off Riser Road) is closed at MP 0.841 for public safety due to failed culverts. We will provide an update when the culverts have been repaired.

FSR 509 "Muckaway Rd" is closed at mileposts 2.53 & 3.01 due to a culvert failure at milepost 2.79.

FSR 509 "Muckaway Rd" on the Long Cane Ranger District is closed at mileposts 2.53 & 3.01 due to a culvert failure at milepost 2.79.

FSR 520 “White Creek Rd” is closed at MP 0.55 due to a culvert failure.

FSR 520 “White Creek Rd” on the Long Cane Ranger District is closed at MP 0.55 due to a culvert failure.

Appalachian Trail Detour- Iron Mountain Gap

The Iron Mountain Gap detour is now in place to route hikers around the final remaining 6 miles of closed section of the Appalachian Trail from about a mile south of the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter to about a mile north of Iron Mountain Gap (approx. NOBO mile 360.6 to 365.9).

Kings Mountain Point Fishing Pier Closure

The fishing pier at Kings Mountain Point Day Use Area on the Uwharrie National Forest is closed till further notice due to storm damage. The Day Use area remains open and the three smaller accessible fishing platforms are available for public use.

Pisgah Camping Limitations

The following act is prohibited within 1000 feet of a road open to public vehicle travel on the Pisgah Ranger District in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties in North Carolina.

Max Patch Restrictions

Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.

Forest Orders

Please visit the following page for current Forest Closure Orders: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/francismarionsumter/about-area/closure-orders

Forest Service Road 301 (Worthys Ferry) Closure

Until further notice, Forest Service Road 301 (Worthys Ferry) on the Enoree Ranger District will be closed between the two intersections where FSR 301 meets with FSR 301E (Feltman). Access to Worthys Bottom will remain open through FSR 301E.

Timber Harvest at Buck Hall Recreation Area Use Caution

A timber harvest will be taking place in the vicinity of Buck Hall Recreation Area starting as early as Friday, February 14th 2025. This is the first phase of the Buck Hall Recreation Area Renovation. Logging trucks will be using Buck Hall Landing Road to access the area.

Closures on Francis Marion National Forest (Litchfield/Lottie Bridges)

Assessments were conducted following Tropical Storm Debby by the Francis Marion Ranger District office, requiring an indefinite closure of the Litchfield and Lottie bridges for public and employee safety. Due to the conditions, a full assessment has not been completed.

FSR 376 Asias Branch Road closed on Enoree Ranger District

FSR 376 Asias Branch Road, located on the Enoree Ranger District, is closed due to a blown-out culvert. We will update when the road is reopened.

Candy Branch Rifle Range closed until further notice

The Candy Branch Rifle Range at Sumter National Forest's Long Cane Ranger District is closed until further notice pending safety review and maintenance.

Emergency Bridge Closure off Forest Service Rd. 251H

A Closure Order (see below) has been placed for an emergency closure of a bridge off of Forest Service Road 251H on the Francis Marion National Forest. Francis Marion & Sumter NFs, Forest-Wide Closure - Order Number: FM-14-01

FSR 374 (Hunting Fork Rd) closed

Forest Service Road 374 near Whitmire, SC (also known as Hunting Fork Road) is closed due to a washed-out pipe. We will update when the road is repaired.

Check the Call Before You Haul hotline before riding our OHV trails

All OHV trails across Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests are subject to closures on short notice due to inclement weather. Before driving to OHV trails, Call 803-561-4025 Before You Haul for the most recent trail status.

America the Beautiful passes unavailable at Supervisor's & Long Cane offices

America the Beautiful passes are temporarily not available at the Supervisor's Office. Passes are available at our other Forest Service offices in South Carolina. Call ahead to confirm availability.

Please be aware of open well hazards on Sumter National Forest

Old home sites exist across many parts of the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. Many of these sites still include open, hand-dug wells. The Forest is working to address known well hazards. Known well sites are being signed; however, there may be wells not yet discovered.

Red Flag Warning issued December 30 at 1:41AM EST until December 30 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

1:41 AM — 1:00 PM

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels, which is in effect from noon today to 7 PM EST this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Hart and Elbert. * TIMING...This afternoon into early evening. * WINDS...Northwest 10 to 15 mph; with gusts as high as 20 to 25 mph. * HUMIDITY...Values as low as 20% are expected during the afternoon. * FUEL MOISTURE...10-hour fuel moisture expected to fall below 10% this afternoon. * IMPACTS...With elevated winds and low relative humidities, extremely dangerous fire weather conditions are possible. Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.