Happy Valley Ridge Fire Grows to 120 Acres, 70% Contained

A fire that began last week on Happy Valley Ridge in the Abrams Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park now covers 120 acres.

Since first reporting the Happy Valley Ridge fire, located along the northwest boundary of the park north of the Abrams Creek Campground, on Sept. 15, 2016, park officials say it has grown to 120 acres in size. The fire is considered 70% contained and remains within the 250-acre containment zone established by National Park Service firefighters and a Cherokee National Forest hotshot crew.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, firefighters conducted small burnout fires along the east and west lines to help secure the containment zone. There are still some small pockets of woody fuels burning in the interior, but most of the active area is a backing fire along the southwest portion of the block.

All park areas, including trails, remain open.

UPDATE: Sept. 29, 2016