HAOE LEAD (NCNCF)

Wildfire Status:

The HAOE LEAD Fire, which began on April 12, 2025, is currently active within the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness of the Cheoah Ranger District in the Nantahala National Forest, approximately 7 miles west of Robbinsville, North Carolina. As of the latest update, the fire has burned approximately 3,103 acres and is 57% contained. The fire is primarily fueled by hardwood leaf litter and is being managed under a full suppression strategy due to the rugged terrain and remote location that complicate firefighting efforts.

Firefighting agencies, including the Southern Area Incident Management Gray Team led by Incident Commander Mitch Ketron, are actively working to control the blaze. A total of 113 personnel are currently assigned to the incident, utilizing air resources where weather conditions permit. Public and firefighter safety remains the top priority, and a closure order has been enacted for the affected area to prevent unauthorized access.

Recent weather conditions have been favorable for firefighting efforts, with rain helping to minimize fire behavior. The expected weather pattern includes continued chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms, with predictions of heavy rainfall throughout the day. This wet weather is expected to persist, contributing to lower fire activity in the coming days. However, erratic gusts of wind associated with thunderstorms may still pose potential risks. Fire personnel are focused on patrolling and mopping up any remaining hotspots while implementing a suppression repair plan to restore the affected areas.

Visit Inciweb Incident Page for more information. Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only.

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