North Carolina Forest Fire Closes Appalachian Trail

The Deer Park Fire burned 50 acres in Madison County, N.C., shutting down a portion of the Appalachian Trail from Garenflo Gap to Hot Springs for seven days in early May.

The trail and structures were not damaged, says U.S. Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Cathy Dowd. Firefighters determined the blaze was caused by an unattended campfire.

According to the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign, 90 percent of forest fires are caused by humans. The campaign encourages citizens to understand campfire safety.

For more information on campfire safety, visit: smokeybear.com or check out this comprehensive blog. — By Shelby Jones