News

Poplar Drive fire started when debris burn reignited, Forest Service says

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 16, 2023

The wildfire that drew hundreds of firefighters, dozens of fire departments from across the state to the Kyle's Creek area for two weeks started from a debris burn on private property that later reignited, the N.C. Forest Service announced Thursday.

The burn occurred on Thursday, Oct. 26, eight days before it reignited on Nov. 3, creating the blaze that eventually covered 434 acres and threatened 75 homes in the area of Poplar Drive and Kyle's Creek, Rhodes and Terry's Gap roads. The fire was 98 percent contained on Thursday, the forest service said.

Duff Swan, 51, of Maitland, Florida, was cited and charged with violating a state law that makes it a misdemeanor to burn debris "without keeping and maintaining a careful watchman in charge of the burning." The penalty is a $50 fine. The investigation confirmed what local firefighters suspected from the start. Edneyville Fire Chief Robert Griffin told a Hendersonville Lightning reporter the day after the fire started that firefighters believed it originated from a reignited burn.

One home, two cabins, one uninhabitable mobile home, one uninhabitable cabin and two outbuildings were destroyed in the Poplar Drive fire. One home was damaged. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries and both were treated and released. Four minor motor vehicle accidents have been reported with no injuries.

Conditions will remain dry this week with low humidities overnight, keeping vegetation and soil crisp. Leaf fall and an extremely dry duff layer provide ample fuels for fire to spread. The burn ban for 30 counties in Western North Carolina remains in effect until further notice.