News Story
March 30th Press Briefing @ 12 PM
Posted by Transylvania County on

March 30, 2025

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 

101 South Broad Street Brevard, NC 28712


 

Transylvania County Forest Fire Update, 12 PM

Note: messages will be pushed out on social media and the evacuation map updated on www.transylvaniacounty.org as conditions change. A new page has been added with information and helpful links.

Fireline, Evacuations and Firefighting Update

 

Transylvania County is under a State of Emergency due to forest fire danger from three fires:

 

  • Pisgah National Forest fire at Rattlesnake Branch Fire estimated at 1,882 acres (Not breached into the county) US Forest Service is working this fire.
  • Persimmon Ridge fire from South Carolina, estimated at approx. 2,078 acres (not breached into the county) The Southern Area Blue Team working this event is expecting to be able to maintain the boundaries on this fire today and are working towards containment.
  • Table Rock Fire from South Carolina approx.. 11,468 acres (has breached into the county) Fire crews from local, state, and federal resources have been on the ground continuing with back burning and line strengthening activities that have added to the acreage. An updated fire line map will be provided once controlled burn operations have been completed and aerial support is able to map the line.
  • We are receiving small amounts of rain which is helping. However, residents need to remember that the burn ban will remain in place. The amount of rain does not remove the danger burning can pose to our community.
  • Evacuation areas are being evaluated today after the success of yesterday and are expected to begin to be reduced in certain areas today. Evacuated residents will be notified when it is safe to return home and updates will be issued. We expect to be able to issue detailed information around 4 PM this afternoon.
  • Additional coordination is being carried out with the incident command based in SC, NC Office of State Fire Marshall, NC Forestry Service and others to ensure that resources are available where they are needed the most. Today’s rain and temporary slowing of activity will provide an opportunity to rotate in support crews so that local responders can rest. Additional resources from North Carolina will remain in place until they are no longer needed.
  • Donations have been so helpful to our local fire departments in this effort. Both Connestee and Cedar Mountain Fire and Rescue Departments have all of the donations they need at this time. The community support has been overwhelming!

 

Operational Plan Report

  • Federal, state, interlocal and local teams continue to patrol fire lines and work to mop up areas where the fire has burned out, ensuring there are no hot spots.
  • Additional coordination is being carried out with the incident command based in SC, NC Office of State Fire Marshall, NC Forestry Service and others to ensure that resources are available where they are needed the most. Today’s rain and temporary slowing of activity will provide an opportunity to rotate in support crews so that local responders can rest. Additional resources from North Carolina will remain in place until they are no longer needed.
  • Miscommunication can be dangerous and creates additional challenges in the response effort. We have received at least one fake Facebook account posing as a government official posting fire sightings and citizens directing others to inaccurate information using online commercial mapping products. Updates will be issued from Unified Command with multi-agency information on the effort underway on Transylvania County Social Media, website and through the alert system and shared through local partners.

Additional Information

  • Transylvania County Cooperative Extension is coordinating with our agriculture community regarding livestock.
  • Those signed up for emergency alerts on the Transylvania County website will receive notifications of evacuation or evacuation lifting only if their address is impacted. All residents are encouraged to be continue to be proactive by registering their address and phone number in the county alert system. Take prevention measures around your home and vehicles to remove dry leaves and vegetive debris that could be ignited with embers. A tutorial to support sign up is available on the county website at www.transylvaniacounty.org.
  • Air quality is forecast to be in the red zone for Transylvania County today. Code Red means prolonged exposure to the air may be unhealthy for anyone. All residents should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
  • Only call 911 if you see active fire. Smoky conditions throughout the county are expected.

Connestee Fire and Rescue Update

  • Yesterday was a very productive day for firefighters working to contain the Table Rock Complex Fire in North Carolina. Burnout operations and fire lines seems to have been very successful in slowing and stopping the fire in critical areas.
  • Connestee Fire Rescue has been working closely with South Carolina fire officials and the Southern Incident Management Blue Team to monitor the burn out operations and any effect they may have to North Carolina.
  • At this time Connestee Fire Rescue and Mutual Aid Crews from across North and South Carolina continue to monitor fire lines and provide structural protection.

*Multiple crews are currently assisting North Carolina Forest Service with Wildland Fire Suppression operations on the front lines.

*Most fire lines continue to hold fast, with additional areas being determined to be moving to a safe status.

*Connestee Fire Rescue Inc would like to thank all of the local, state and federal resources who have came to assist in this effort.

Cedar Mountain Fire and Rescue Update

  • Local and mutual aid crews continue to work the front lines of the fire to engage in active fire line control.
  • We are monitoring hot spots for any fire activity and working to ensure it remains contained within the fire breaks.
  • Residents are still encouraged to remove leaves and dry vegetative debris from around their homes, vehicles and gutters. Also remove other flammable items like cushions, cardboard, gas cans and other


 

items away from your home. This will support the ability of fire departments to protect homes. See Readync.gov for information on what to consider when being evacuated.

*Handouts are available at the Cedar Mountain Fire Rescue station for residents who need further assistance with preparation activities.

 

Transportation and Curfew Update

  • A curfew is in place from 8 PM to 8 AM tonight for the evacuation area as currently posted only.

Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office continues to actively patrol this area. This does not limit the ability for those who may be returning to their homes once the mandatory evacuation is lifted.

  • The US Forest Service has closed the Blue Ridge Parkway from 215 to Asheville.
  • 276 is closed from the Cascade Lake Rd to Hwy 11. Within Transylvania County, travel is restricted into the evacuated area has shown on the map at www.transylvaniacounty.org.
  • East Fork Road is closed from the East Fork entrance of Connestee Falls, to Glady Fork Rd to keep roads clear for fire crews to travel.
  • The stationary map at www.transylvaniacounty.org and the file showing on SARTOPO will be updated as conditions change. Dupont State Forest has closed some trails. See their facebook for announcements on trail closures.

 

Evacuation Map established 3-26-25 and current as of 3-30-25 at 12 PM

 


 

 

 

Fire Line in Transylvania County Update as of 3-28-25 at 4:30 PM (updated fly data not available at time of report due to the weather. There are also flight restrictions in place that limit the timeframe in which we can collect the data)


 

Map will be updated once the fire line is able to be remapped after backburn is completed.