The red dot on this map indicates the location where local resident Misty Buchanan was found after going missing during a hike inside the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest on Oct. 25.
On-ground personnel worked to combat the Haoe Lead Fire inside the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest by creating a burn Monday. The smoke from Monday’s start can be seen in the center of this photo from the Obadiah Overlook on the Cherohala Skyway; to the left is smoke from the original fire, which started April 12. Photo courtesy of Joe Leak/U.S. Forest Service Safety Officer, Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team
A helicopter flies over the Haoe Lead Fire, preparing to drop water from nearby Lake Santeetlah onto the widespread flames. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service
Richard “Dick” Evans (left) was surprised by Heath Emmons with the U.S. Forest Service and the Partners of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on Monday with the Region 8 Volunteer of the Year Award. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com
Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge
Plans are in progress to repair a washed-out section of the lower loop trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, which has left half the loop inaccessible off and on for about two years. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com
Graham County Search and Rescue Coordinator Tory Lynnes stands at the fork between Joyce Kilmer Loop Trail (left) and Naked Ground Trail (right). Naked Ground Trail is a difficult trail that does not loop. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest day hikers sometimes get confused, take the right fork and sometimes have to be rescued. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com