Poplar Wildfire Spreads Across TN-NC Border

Hundreds of acres burned, roads closed as crews work to contain blaze

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:34pm

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A wildfire known as the 'Poplar Fire' has been burning across hundreds of acres at the Tennessee-North Carolina border since March 23, causing widespread smoke and forcing road closures. The fire has burned more than 343 acres and is 40% contained, with firefighter crews and emergency management agencies working around the clock to strengthen containment lines and prevent further spread.

Why it matters

The Poplar Fire is a significant threat to the Appalachian Ranger District in the Pisgah National Forest, and its proximity to the Tennessee-North Carolina border raises concerns about potential cross-state impacts. The fire also highlights the ongoing challenges of managing wildfires in the region, especially given the dry climate and debris buildup from previous storms.

The details

The Poplar Fire started on March 23 at 4 p.m. and has since burned more than 343 acres of land. Firefighter crews and neighboring emergency management agencies are working to contain the blaze before it crosses state lines. The fire is currently 40% contained, and crews are using water to extinguish any remaining heat near the edge to prevent further spread. Highway 197 remains closed to the public, while Rock Creek Road towards Poplar, North Carolina, reopened at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

  • The Poplar Fire started on Monday, March 23 at 4 p.m.
  • As of Thursday, the fire has burned more than 343 acres and is 40% contained.

The players

Allyson Pokrzywinski

Poplar Fire Public Information Officer.

Jimmy Erwin

Unicoi County Emergency Management Director.

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What they’re saying

“They're using water to extinguish any remaining heat near the edge of the fire. That will prevent the fire from spreading outside of its current footprint in the area.”

— Allyson Pokrzywinski, Poplar Fire Public Information Officer

“It would have to cross the – you take a mountain and then come down the mountain, which would take it a couple of days in the worst conditions to reach down toward any populated area. So we feel pretty safe about it, and it's something we've been watching and maintaining and communicating with North Carolina about.”

— Jimmy Erwin, Unicoi County Emergency Management Director

What’s next

With rain expected on Friday, officials hope that conditions will improve and allow for better containment of the Poplar Fire.

The takeaway

The Poplar Fire highlights the ongoing challenges of managing wildfires in the Appalachian region, where dry conditions, debris buildup, and proximity to state borders can complicate firefighting efforts. Effective coordination between emergency responders and agencies across state lines is crucial to containing such cross-border blazes.