FIRE SUMMARY
The Sciota Road Fire is located 5 miles SE of Unicoi, Tennessee on the Cherokee National Forest and East of Unicoi in the Little Mountain area on the Unaka Ranger District.
The fire is burning light logging slash, hardwood litter and timber that began on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, around 1600 hours. The cause is currently unknown and is under investigation.
Firefighters have reached a 75% containment increased from the earlier reported 60% containment status.
RESOURCES
About 75 nearby National Forest personnel are still assigned to this incident, down from 92 originally assigned earlier today.
There are 2 – 20 person hand crews, 3 engines, 1 helicopter and 1 dozer attached as resources.
FIRE TACTICS
Firefighters worked on improving containment lines and will continue to patrol the areas.
Additionally, they are prepping the area for a nearby burnout operation on the Western flank, that is expected to take place on Sunday. Operations are estimated to start later in the afternoon, which will then tie in with the Sciota Road Fire. This is to reduce the chance for fire to spread into other areas. 150 acres are expected to be burned.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
No structures have been damaged or destroyed. 0 Injuries and accidents have been reported.
The Cost-to-Date for fire suppression efforts has risen from $110,000 to $245,000.
Originally, 191 acres were reported as burned but due to more accurate mapping, the true number of land scorched is 168 acres.
WEATHER FORECAST
Cooler temps and recent rain have fallen upon the fire ground.
ALERTS
Fire Managers ask drivers to be aware of your surrounding as heavy equipment and fire traffic will be still be active in the area. Please remember to #MoveOver for lights and sirens, when safe to do so.
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