Crews Battling Two New Wildfires in Western North Carolina

Forest Service reports fires in Cold Springs and Cole Gap areas, with smoke visible across region.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:39pm

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A dramatic, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and brown, with a massive, billowing cloud of smoke obscuring the mountainous terrain below, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural disaster.Towering plumes of smoke from wildfires in the western North Carolina mountains cast an ominous pall over the region.Hot Springs Today

The U.S. Forest Service has reported two new wildfires in western North Carolina, the Cold Springs Fire spanning 7 acres and the Cole Gap Fire covering an estimated 55 acres. Crews are working to build containment lines and extinguish hot spots, with smoke impacting visibility in nearby communities. An additional fire, the Jack Branch Fire, remains 90% contained at 15 acres.

Why it matters

Wildfires pose a serious threat to public safety and property in the region, especially during dry conditions. The Forest Service is closely monitoring the situation and working to limit the spread and impact of these fires.

The details

The Cold Springs Fire is located about 15 miles north of Lake Junaluska, while the Cole Gap Fire is near Buck Creek Road in the Shortoff Mountain area. Firefighters are battling the blazes in steep, rocky terrain with thick vegetation. Smoke from the fires may be visible from the I-40 corridor and surrounding communities like Buck Creek, Cashiers, Norton, and Highlands. Drivers are advised to use caution on nearby roads due to reduced visibility.

  • The fires were first reported on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • On Sunday, April 13, crews will focus on building containment lines and extinguishing hot spots.
  • The Jack Branch Fire, at 15 acres, remains 90% contained as of Sunday.

The players

U.S. Forest Service

The federal agency responsible for managing and protecting national forests and grasslands, including responding to wildfires.

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What’s next

Firefighters will remain vigilant, monitoring the containment lines and extinguishing any remaining hot spots. They will also be on standby in case additional fires ignite due to the dry weather conditions.

The takeaway

The wildfires in western North Carolina highlight the ongoing threat of blazes during periods of dry weather, and the importance of the Forest Service's efforts to quickly contain and control such incidents to protect public safety and property.