Fire in Big Creek area

“It's terrible. The air quality sucks. I have never seen it this bad in my experience in the smokies. From the fire standpoint, I guess a lack of breeze is good, from an air quality standpoint, it compounds matters. I am staying in Knoxville for a few days, but the haze is settling into the valley as well, but nothing like it is up around Walland.”

“Has the park instituted a burn ban?
I haven't seen one posted.”

“I am not aware of one, but I will tell you the whole area around Townsend is as dry as a powder house.”

“Ok, I figured with the fires they would impose a ban.

I was thinking about heading over to the park this weekend for a quick overnighter or somesuch. I'm wondering if I ought to look at other venues. The east side should be fine I guess.
last edited: 5/29/07 12:06:16 PM”

“Purchase Knob doesn't look affected by drought at all.

The relative humidity at Look Rock is still 64%, but if that were to drop I'm sure they'd institute a burn ban.”

“I am hiking from Clingman's Dome to TreMont over the weekend stopping at Double Springs and Derrick's Knob. It looks like most of the haze is settling to the coves and valleys, but I don't expect any big views from up top.

Yeah, HPM, I think the East side will be better. TB, we are still about a foot of rain below normal for the year at lower elevations. I don't know how it has been going above 5000'.”

“Sounds like fun.
I'll probably find something low and sit by a stream for a spell.”

“Not a bad plan.”

“Smokies wildfire continues to burn
By News Sentinel staff
May 29, 2007
"They said today that the fire is about 65 percent contained and expect to reach full containment by June 9.

The estimate of burned acreage increased from 250 acres on May 25 to about 800 acres, with most of the increase attributed to more exact mapping.

The fire is burning inside a perimeter of creeks and trails being used to contain it, according to a park release.

Once the fire reaches those lines, it is expected to have consumed about 970 acres." ”

“http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/142515.html


Looks like the Linville Gorge trails are still closed.”

“I stopped by the coffee shop in Townsend this morning and Jaime said that the fire at Abrams won't be fully contained until June 9th. Over 800 acres before it is through.”

“According to the news this morning, the fire at Abrams is now contained. Looks like 1000 acres will be burned off before it is over. However, we did get rain over the weekend and it was really needed.”