April 3, 2025 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Transylvania County Forest Fire Update, 6 PM 

See www.transylvaniacounty.org/2025-wildfire 

This is expected to be the last update related to the forest fires and Transylvania County is evaluating lifting the State of Emergency due to forest fire. 

Transylvania County, NC Fire Updates 

• Today, crews focused on suppression repair along the fire lines. 2 crews and 2 engines will continue that work tomorrow. Then this team will demobilize (return to their home unit). There is very low risk of fire behavior in the short-term due to saturation of fuels - leaf litter, dead brush, logs, standing trees.
• Transylvania County is partnering with the Southern Area Incident Management Blue Team and North Carolina Emergency Management Department to provide some public education tools to better understand the forest fires and what happens during an emergency.  Like the Transylvania County facebook page to get these updates. 

Table Rock Complex Incident Command Update 

The Southern Area Blue Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) is managing the Table Rock Complex, in unified command with multiple state and local agencies in both North and South Carolina. 

 Persimmon Ridge Fire 

Size: 2,078 acres Containment: 99 percent Fire Start Date: March 22, 2025 Cause: Humancaused 

Firefighters on the Persimmon Ridge Fire will focus on suppression repair and backhauling of equipment today. Fire engines will continue to patrol the containment lines and extinguish any remaining hotspots near the fire perimeter. 

 Table Rock Fire 

Size: 13,845 acres 

13,210 acres (SC) 635 acres (NC) Containment: 91 percent Fire Start Date: March 21, 2025 

Cause: Human-caused 

On Wednesday, firefighters secured the perimeter of the Table Rock Fire. Fire resources will continue to patrol and mop-up any remaining hotspots as containment nears 100%. Today's focus will shift to suppression repair, which involves stabilizing exposed soil with seed and straw to prevent erosion and remove dirt and debris from stream crossings. Firefighters will install water bars on containment lines, which are small diagonal ridges built across the fireline to divert surface water runoff back into the woods. Crews will complete backhauling equipment today. 

Rattlesnake Ridge Fire, US Forestry Service Update (Fire has not breached into Transylvania) 

Note: Please drive cautiously on State Route 276 and other roads around the fire. Please do not stop along the side of the road for your protection and the protection of firefighters and equipment. 

The fire is approximately 1,843 acres and 56 percent contained. The reduction in acreage is due to better mapping. Nearly 180 personnel are working on the fire..   

Closures and Restrictions: The Pisgah National Forest has issued 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 between US-276 and NC-215 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway (between mile markers 405 and 420). Please stay safe and keep out of these areas 

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!