04/11/2026
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National Forests in North Carolina Fire Update for April 11, 2026
Fire crews and aircraft responded to seven new fires with a total of 17 acres across the National Forests in North Carolina yesterday. Firefighters successfully held six of these fires to small sizes from a tenth of an acre to 1.5 acres. The Jack Branch Fire was the largest of the seven and more details are provided below. Dry conditions and fire danger remain very high across all of North Carolina.
Looking Glass Fire
Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest
Location: 4 miles northwest of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Date Reported: April 7, 2026 Cause: Downed Powerline
Size: 30 acres Total Personnel: 30 Containment: 100%
The Looking Glass Fire has reached 100% containment as off April 11, 2026, thanks to the efforts of firefighters. Today, crews will continue to monitor the interior of the fire and potential existing pockets of heat. This will be the last update for this incident unless conditions change.
Reopening
Fish Hatchery Road (FSDR 475), Headwaters Road (FSDR 475B) and Looking Glass Trail have reopened. Please exercise caution when visiting the area. Firefighters and law enforcement continue to monitor the location of the fire.
Jack Branch Fire
Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest
Location: 3 miles north of Hot Springs, North Carolina
Date Reported: April 10, 2026 Cause: under investigation
Size: 15 acres Containment: 70%
The USDA Forest Service responded yesterday, April 10, to the Jack Branch Fire, which ignited in the Cowbell Mountain area near the Tennessee state line just north of Hot Springs, North Carolina. The fire was observed as smoldering at higher elevation. Two Chinook helicopters performed aerial water drops, while crews responded on the ground to construct control lines, leading to 70% containment by evening.
Today, fire crews will continue extinguishing areas of heat to prevent fire spread and continue working to increase containment. Aircraft are available if needed for water drops.
Weather
The weather forecast calls a high of 75 degrees, with critically low relative humidity levels and light winds out of the northwest this morning and the north this evening.
For wildfire updates follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc
Burned ground alongside the Looking Glass Rock Trail - photo by Dana Hodde
