Great Smoky closures
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is partially closed as crews battle two wildfires — the Fox Gap Fire is currently listed at 111 acres and 0% contained, with trails and areas inaccessible as of Friday. (wate.com)
The National Park Service says the Fox Gap fire was first reported Wednesday afternoon and that additional firefighting resources have been ordered to support suppression efforts. (nps.gov) The Rabbit Creek fire is being managed at about 47.5 acres and listed at roughly 50% contained as crews establish and reinforce fire line around its perimeter. (nps.gov) Park managers have implemented targeted closures: the Twentymile Trail from the Twentymile Ranger Station to its junction with the Twentymile Loop and Long Hungry Ridge trails, backcountry campsites 16 and 93, Rabbit Creek Trail from Abrams Creek Campground to Hannah Mountain Trail, Cooper Road Trail from Abrams Creek Campground to Little Bottoms Trail, and Abrams Creek Campground Road is closed for firefighter staging. (wbir.com) Fire crews used aerial water drops on Thursday that park officials say successfully slowed growth of the Fox Gap incident during initial suppression operations. (msn.com) The NPS clarified the Rabbit Creek fire is separate from planned prescribed burns at Lynn Hollow and Wear Cove Gap, and smoke from suppression operations may be visible in nearby communities. (publicnow.com) Officials continue to stage resources and restrict access where crews need safe egress and equipment placement, and the park’s temporary conditions page lists the active wildfire-related road and trail closures in effect. (nps.gov)
