Cole Gap Fire Nears Full Containment; Burn Ban Continues in Buncombe
By Marcus Thompson | Published 2026-04-14T23:50:54.353Z
News
Location: Asheville, NC, Buncombe County, western North Carolina
Cole Gap Fire nears full containment in Buncombe County, but burn ban continues due to ongoing fire risk after Hurricane Helene.
Even as Asheville and western North Carolina residents recover from Hurricane Helene, 5f5 fires have burned 55 acres in the Nantahala National Forest. Crews have reached 90 percent containment of the Cole Gap Fire, offering a measure of relief. With extreme fire danger persisting, worsened by hurricane debris, an open burn ban remains in effect across Buncombe County.Firefighters reported the progress on the Cole Gap Fire on April 14, 2026, even as they monitor other incidents sparked by debris
Tags: cole gap fire, wildfire, buncombe county, burn ban, hurricane helene, fire safety, emergency alerts, unified fire tax district
Keywords: Cole Gap Fire, Buncombe County, burn ban, wildfire, Hurricane Helene, fire safety, Unified Fire Tax District