As of Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Forest Service officials reported the Lost Cove fire has spread within the Lost Cove Wilderness Study area and is still only 20% contained. The wildfire is burning within 10 miles of the town of Linville and has grown to an estimated 700 acres. The fire is now going downhill from Timber Ridge to the south and east. The fire was first reported on Christmas Eve and is located near Bee Mountain. Firefighting efforts thus far have focused on securing the fire line on the northwest side of the fire to protect private property near the Roseboro community. As the fire spreads within the Wilderness Study Area, firefighters are continuing to monitor and improve that fire line. Higher humidity conditions have moderated fire behavior, and the fire is primarily burning through leaf litter at low to moderate intensities. The fire is expected to continue to grow within the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area until significant rain is received. No homes or structures are threatened.
Emergency closures remain in place for the Huntfish Falls Trail, Darkside Cliffs Trail, Lost Cove Loop Trail and the Timber Ridge Trail including the sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail that follow Gragg Prong between Roseboro and Pineola Roads. The public is asked to avoid recreating in the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area until the fire is fully contained.
18 firefighters from the US Forest Service are responding. The response effort is supported by local fire departments from Collettsville and Linville, as well as the North Carolina Forest Service. The cause of the Lost Cove Fire remains under investigation.
Photo courtesy of Kenny Frick, USFS