Local, federal officials weigh in on Haoe Lead impact
Graham County has experienced one of its busiest spring fire seasons this year, as firefighters were constantly busy with brush fires in March and April – with several of those threatening structures.
On April 12, what began as one tree burning from a lightning strike turned out to be the largest fire in the county since the Maple Springs and Old Roughy fires combined to burn over 15,000 acres in the fall of 2016.
In fact, the Maple Springs Fire created problems in suppressing the Haoe Lead Fire. The Haoe Lead blaze followed much of the path of the 2016 fire, which left hundreds of dead trees: some on the ground, some still standing. Southern Area Gray Team Incident Commander Mitch Ketron mentioned many of the same problems encountered on the fire, as did Cheoah District Ranger Brian Browning when asked for comment.
Construction of control lines in closer proximity to the fire – as is the case normally – was out of the question, due the rapid pace of the fire and the constant danger of firefighters being struck by burning trees falling without warning. There were also days of unusually high winds and very low humidity readings.
The fire burned in rugged, steep terrain with dense brush and rock outcroppings. It also burned in a wilderness area, which limits what equipment can be used. Large helicopters proved very useful, as they could get water to drop on the fire from nearby Lake Santeetlah.
The North Carolina Forest Service – although not directly involved with the Haoe Lead Fire, which was all on U.S. Forest land – had their hands full with 18 brush fires, 11 of which threatened structures.
The N.C. Forest Service only has two employees; Graham County Ranger Frank Cline and smoke chaser Jade Teasdale. They have a few “pickup” firefighters available at times, but this makes them heavily dependent on assistance from county fire and rescue units – as well as the U.S. Forest Service. The U.S. and state forest services have a longstanding agreement to assist each other on fires.
Both Cline and Teasdale expressed appreciation for the assistance they receive from county and U.S. Forest Service firefighters.
Graham County Emergency Services Director Brian Stevens said his role during the fires – especially the Haoe Lead – was to act as a liaison for the out-of-area firefighters. He helped secure a location for briefings and the use of the Phillips Building from Tri-County Community College as a command post for the Southern Area Gray Team, which took over firefighting efforts on the Haoe Lead – leaving local firefighters free to respond to other calls. It was a joint working relationship involving federal, state, and local units throughout this "fire siege.”