Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials reported that the 960-acre Thomas Divide Complex Fire is now 60 percent contained. The Unified Command Center continued to coordinate suppression efforts with approximately 70 personnel participating as part of ground crews, engine crews, and air operations. Control lines are well established around the Stone Pile fire section and crews will continue to monitor and address any remaining burning fuels in that area over the next few days. The larger Cooper Creek Fire section has control lines well established around the southern border and crews will continue to work tomorrow to strengthen northern control lines and to extinguish hot spots within the perimeter.
Conditions throughout the park continue to be dry with an enhanced risk for wildfires. A small, half-acre human-caused fire was detected at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Newfound Gap Road south of the Deep Creek Trailhead parking area. The fire was quickly extinguished due to a quick response from the National Park Service, Cherokee Fire Department, and nearby air support. This fire, located approximately 20 feet from the parking area, is believed to be unrelated to the Thomas Divide Complex Fire.
With high winds expected across the park over the next two days under dry conditions, park officials remind visitors to exercise extreme caution in the park. Campfires should be fully extinguished and cigarettes properly disposed to prevent the accidental spread of wildfires.
The following areas remain closed: Backcountry campsites 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60; Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road; Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork, and Loop trails. Toms Branch Road near Deep Creek is also closed. The Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area are not scheduled to open for the season until April 15.
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