Note: The Pisgah National Forest has modified an area closure of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area to protect the public. The closure now includes all National Forest System land in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area ONLY. Previously, it included National Forest System land between US-276 and NC-215 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway (between Blue Ridge Parkway mile markers 405 and 420). With the modified order, only the wilderness area remains closed for this order. Please stay safe and keep out of the wilderness area.
This is the last update of the Rattlesnake Branch Fire by the Southern Area Red Complex Incident Management Team. Firefighters have done good work to contain the fire and construct firelines; fire activity has decreased, and more rain is predicted on Sunday. As a result, the Red Team will transition to a Type 3 (smaller) organization tomorrow morning. The Type 3 team will mostly consist of members of the Red Team who will stay while the rest of the team travels home.
The Rattlesnake Branch Fire is on private land and the Shining Rock Wilderness Area on Pisgah National Forest around the community of Cruso, approximately 11 miles southeast of Waynesville, North Carolina. It started on March 26, 2025, and quickly spread due to dry conditions of the hardwood leaves and branches on the ground. The cause remains under investigation.
The fire is approximately 1,843 acres and 26 percent contained, which is 93 percent of the fire under a containment strategy. 112 personnel are on the fire.
Yesterday’s Activities
Yesterday, many firefighters and equipment were released from the fire because they were in excess of current needs for the Rattlesnake Branch Fire. Management of the fire has shifted to monitoring, patrolling and completing data collection for structure protection and potential places for fireline construction. In the Crawford Creek area, crews cleared roads for emergency access. Most of the assessment work yesterday was northwest and west of the fire, near the Camp Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp and including the Frazier and Little East Fork Road systems. The drone flew up to the peak of Cold Mountain and checked the southern fire perimeter for heat signatures. Some areas of the fire received more rain yesterday.
Today’s Activities
More firefighters and equipment will be released from the fire today. Remaining personnel will continue to patrol and mop up around structures in Crawford Creek and Cruso, as needed, and improve firelines to protect structures in the Burnette, Lenoir and Dix creek drainages and around the Boy Scout Camp. A hotshot crew will also work to assess and clear trails on Cold Mountain. Roads and firelines used for fire suppression around Crawford Creek, Cruso and Burnette Cove Road will be repaired, including installing water bars on roads to prevent erosion. Firefighters will continue to collect data on potential future firelines and structures for a structure protection plan, including data on interior logging logs west of the current fire footprint.
A UAS (drone) is assigned to the fire to help with mapping and reconnaissance. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are available, if needed.
Weather/Fire Behavior: Today will be mostly cloudy with warmer temperatures and strong southerly winds. A strong, rainy cold front arrives Sunday, with wetting rain (1.5 – 1.75 inches) and thunderstorms. The high temperature today will be 71 -76 degrees with 45-48 percent minimum relative humidity. Winds will be south to southwest, 10-14 mph with gusts to 32 mph.
Minimal fire activity is expected again today due to moisture retained by dead leaves and woody vegetation on the ground. Closures and Restrictions:
The Pisgah National Forest has modified an area closure of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area to protect the public from wildfire and firefighting operations. This closure includes all National Forest System land in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area only. Please stay safe and keep out of the wilderness area.
A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly!