Rattlesnake Branch 2025
Rattlesnake Branch is the largest wildfire this season in North Carolina, burning 8 miles south of Canton.
Latest update
On April 10, 2025 at 6pm, management of the Rattlesnake Branch Fire was transferred back to Pisgah National Forest. For information, call 828-257-4200.
On April 6, a final update was posted for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire. The fire Information number: 828-519-8242 remains active.
Final update: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-maps-gallery/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch#"tell-the-story"-map-for-rattlesnake-branch-fire-april-6,-2025-160195
On April 5, theSouthern Area Red CIMT "right-sized" for the incident, leaving a smaller organization to wrap-up the final work and be available for initial attack, if needed.
Moving forward, unless there is more fire activity, we will not be posting a daily update. Rather, we will be posting a "Tell-the-Story" map with bullets explaining our activiies for the day. The map will be highlighted here on inciweb.
The Rattlesnake Branch Fire began on March 26, 2025, near Cruso, North Carolina, about 11 miles southeast of Waynesville. The fire rapidly spread, fueled by dry conditions in the hardwood leaf litter, and extended into the Shining Rock Wilderness Area within the Pisgah National Forest. Fire activity and spread have subsided following rainfall on March 30 and 31. The cause of the fire is under investigation.