Clay County

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:

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.

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.

Red Flag Warning issued December 30 at 1:16AM EST until December 30 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Peachtree City GA

1:16 AM — 7:00 PM

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City 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... North and central Georgia * Timing... This afternoon into early evening. * Winds... NW at 10-15 mph; with gusts as high as 25 mph. * Relative Humidity... Falling below 25% by early afternoon. * Temperatures... 30s to 40s. * Impacts... With elevated winds and low relative humidities, extremely dangerous fire weather conditions are possible.