On Sunday (April 19) marks a week since the Alum Fire in McCreary County was first reported. Despite high winds and extreme fire behavior that rapidly enlarged the fire’s footprint, fire crews have made significant progress over the past week and now estimate the fire at 1,100 acres and 72% containment.
The Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area are jointly managing this Type 3 incident under Unified Command with a full suppression strategy. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.
At present, 43 personnel are supporting firefighting operations. Firefighters continue to monitor control lines and “mop up”—seek out and extinguish hot spots to prevent reignition—and will remain on scene until the fire has been deemed fully out. A Type 2 helicopter capable of dropping 300 gallons is assigned to the incident.
We’re thankful to the many community members and local organizations that have supported our wildfire suppression efforts. Specific thanks to the Whitley City Fire Department for hosting our incident command and to United Cumberland Bank, Pine Knot Southern Baptist Church, and Whitley City Second Baptist Church for providing much-appreciated donations for our firefighters.
The 1,100-acre wildfire is located between Big South Fork NRRA and Highway 27 near Alum Boat Dock and Yahoo Falls.
Yahoo Arch Trail, Yahoo Falls Road, and portions of State Highway 700 (Alum Road) and the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail are currently closed. Please avoid the impacted area and give fire crews and aviation resources space to operate safely.
A helicopter is providing aerial support for suppression efforts. If a drone is spotted in the vicinity, we will be forced to ground all aerial support for the safety of the pilot. Help keep our wildland firefighters safe by treating all fire operations as a #NoDroneZone.As of 9:00 AM (ET) on Monday, the superintendent has reopened:
– Alum Ford Road
– Alum Ford Boat Launch
– Alum Ford Campground
This closure was necessary to provide for visitor and fire personnel safety due to the Alum Fire.
REMAINS CLOSED: The section of Sheltowee Trace Trail, along the river from its intersection with Alum Trail to Alum Ford Boat Launch.
The Alum Fire in McCreary County is currently estimated at 1,100 acres and 72% containment, located between Big South Fork NRRA and Highway 27 near Alum Boat Dock and Yahoo Falls. Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area are jointly managing this Type-3 incident under Unified Command with a full suppression strategy.
