View of the forest fire from the Calderwood Dam Overlook at Deals Gap

As I passed through Deals Gap yesterday (scrubbing in my new tires) I paused at the Calderwood Dam overlook at the north end of The Dragon to see what all the activity was about. On Tuesday a lightning strike started a forest fire on the steep slope near the dam. It has been smoldering since.

The fire crews are monitoring and managing the natural burn - "Right now, the information officer is busier than us"

About 35 acres have been involved so far so it’s not a significant fire in size. Fire crews are on the scene and have been managing the burn since, mostly monitoring it to insure it doesn’t affect the dam buildings and at times helping nature do it’s work by setting backfires and encouraging burning along the roadway while keeping it from going out of control.

The National Park Service has stationed an information officer at the overlook to explain what's going on.

As the burn is on property recently acquired by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the park has posted an information officer to inform the public of what is going on and educate them as to how it fits into the park management process. He’s great, knowledgable, has photos, topos, and I enjoyed talking with him.

The fire has had no effect on riding the Dragon, you can still enjoy your visit.

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer