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Written by Lauren Ohnesorge
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Saturday, 05 May 2007 20:11 |
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Major progress has been made with a fire near Linville Gorge
due to the
assistance of the recent rains and cooler weather.
The fire, which
began on April 25, is thought to have started near the Pinnacle Trail,
possibly from a campfire. The Conley Cove
Trail, one mile south of Wiseman’s View, has been prepared as a
potential northern boundary in case the fire spreads. Currently, the
fire remains
just north of Dogback Mountain and is being held by Old Highway 105
at its western flank. The Linville River serves as its eastern
boundary. Rehabilitation efforts
inside and outside of the Linville Gorge Wilderness are currently in
progress and erosion control treatments on the Pinch In Trail, where
the fire line was initially, is almost complete. 304 hand crews are
currently battling the blaze that has now reached 2,357 acres. 8 fire
engines, 4 bull dozers and 2 helicopters have assisted firefighters.
The estimated containment has gone from 30 percent to 80 percent.
CLOSURES: The Linville Gorge Wilderness and the Table
Rock Area have been closed by order of the Pisgah National Forest. That
portion of the Mountain to Sea Trail from the Kistler Memorial Highway
(Old Hwy. 105) to the intersection with National Forest System Road 210
is also closed for public health and safety. Kistler Memorial Highway
and the Spence Ridge Bridge are also closed.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Anyone with
information about the cause of the fire is urged to contact Special
Agent Jenny Davis at (828) 231-0288.
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