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

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.

Happy Valley Ridge Fire

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

Park officials say the Happy Valley Ridge Fire is 90% contained. Approximately 125 acres have burned within the established 250 acre perimeter. Recent precipitation has essentially halted growth of the fire. Tree stumps and heavy fuels continue to smolder producing occasional visible smoke from Happy Valley Road. The National Park Service fire crew continues to monitor the fire daily.

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