Wildfire From Interstate Crash Spreads Rapidly Over Mountains

More than 190 North Carolina firefighters are battling to contain the Black Bear Fire that has spread to nearly 1,800 acres across mountain forests after being sparked by a tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 40.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS)—National Forests in North Carolina confirmed in a Saturday evening update that the fire had burned through at least 1,790 acres and was zero percent contained.

Obtaining an accurate estimate of how far the fire has spread proved challenging as the situation on the ground changed "very rapidly" after the tractor-trailer crash near mile marker 3 in Haywood County, in western North Carolina on Thursday, November 16.

"Primary containment lines have been identified around the Black Bear Fire, utilizing Interstate 40 on the southwest, the Appalachian Trail from I-40 to Groundhog Creek Shelter along the north, and Forest Road 3580 on the east-south to I-40," the NCFS said in the update.

"Groundhog Creek drainage is being scouted as a better eastern containment line to further limit fire spread potential. Containment line work along the Appalachian Trail will consist of raking away forest floor litter and removing fallen trees, much like normal trail maintenance, to minimize impacts along the National Scenic Trail."

The USFS believes the Black Bear Fire will be contained by December 1, according to its latest update.

Newsweek has contacted the USFS National Forests in North Carolina for comment via email.

The USFS said Friday's wet weather had "effectively halted" the spread of the fire and that some areas of fallen trees and leaf litter continued to smolder and contribute to fire creep.

While no evacuations have been made, officials closed the Appalachian Trail from I-40 to Max Patch and further road closures are in effect for Cold Springs Road and Brown Gap Road.

Further impacts to travel along I-40 are expected and people are advised to check current road conditions before setting off on their journey.

Photos of the fire were shared across social media and showed the impact of the blaze on Haywood County's forest.

A photo taken from a plane showed an enormous plume of smoke rising up from the forest and smoke and burned trees were seen on a steep slope alongside I-40.

Drivers have been warned to expect more smoke and "possibly rolling rocks and debris" while traveling along I-40 near the fire.

Wildfires in the US

Since 1983, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has documented approximately 70,000 wildfires per year.

The extent of area burned by wildfires each year appears to have increased since the 1980s, according to the center.

Land area burned by wildfires varies by state and affects more areas in the western U.S. compared to the East.

"The peak of the U.S. wildfire season is occurring earlier. In 1984–2001, burned area peaked in August. More recently, it has peaked in July. An average of 1.7 million acres burned in July of each year from 2002 to 2020," the NIFC said.