Cherokee fire causes Parkway closing, burn ban
A blaze affecting 1,200 acres of land in Cherokee has forced officials to shut down the Blue Ridge Parkway and caused the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to issue a burning ban in the Qualla Boundary.
Officials with the Southern Area Type 2 Incident Management Team, which is overseeing firefighting operations in Cherokee, released a statement this morning saying that the parkway is being shut down from the intersection with U.S. 441 on the south to the intersection with N.C. 19 (Soco Gap) on the north. The closure is expected to last approximately two days.
This move followed EBCI officials issuance of a burn ban Tuesday (April 28). According to a statement issued by Principal Chief Michell Hicks, all open burning is banned on the reservation until further notice. All burn permits have been cancelled as well. Enforcement of the ban will take place through daily patrols, Hicks said.
Firefighters continue to try and contain the blaze, with more than 159 people contributing to the effort. Along with five firefighting crews, the Incident Management team is also receiving support from one helicopter, four fire engines and a bulldozer.
Officials are stating the blaze, which began Monday (April 27) started due to a downed power line.
