Pisgah & Nantahala Trail Closures
Heads up, hikers: some trails in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are temporarily closing for prescribed burns Trail closures for Pisgah, Nantahala National Forest prescribed fires. This is to reduce wildfire risk Trail closures for Pisgah, Nantahala National Forest prescribed fires. Which trails are affected?
The prescribed burns will occur in specific locations within Transylvania, Henderson, Haywood, Jackson, and Macon counties. In Pisgah National Forest, areas include Funnel Top (1,100 acres), Otter Hole (2,100 acres), Brushy Ridge (1,800 acres), Sam Knob (200 acres) and Pink Beds (1,600 acres). Nantahala National Forest burns are planned for Big Green (500 acres), Moses Creek (158 acres), Coward Bald (684 acres), Split Whiteoak (1025 acres) and Deweese (894 acres). A portion of the Appalachian Trail in the Deweese Unit will be temporarily closed during active firing operations but will reopen when safe. Notifications on burn times and locations will be posted on the National Forests in North Carolina website and Facebook page. Prescribed burns reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and promote forest health. They help control invasive plant species, stimulate seed germination, and create open spaces for wildlife. The burns also reduce the risk of more dangerous wildfires and encourage new growth of native vegetation. Pisgah National Forest was established in 1915 and is North Carolina's oldest national forest. It originated from land sold by the Vanderbilt family, who sought to create a forest reserve as part of the Biltmore Estate. The forest encompasses 500,000 acres across 15 counties. Nantahala National Forest, established in 1920, is the largest of North Carolina's four national forests, covering 531,270 acres. "Nantahala" means "land of the midday sun" in Cherokee, reflecting its deep gorges. The forest is part of the Appalachian temperate rainforest and contains old-growth forests. Prescribed burns are planned and analyzed by specialists to protect wildlife, fisheries, rare plants, and historic sites. Firefighters use decades of fire science research to build controlled burn plans. The Forest Service will monitor wind speed and direction to limit smoke impact on nearby communities.
