NC/TN – Burn Ban – Roan Mountain, 3/19/25
nc
|tn
|Hiking Safety
Alert
03/19/2025
The U.S. Forest Service has issued a burn ban for the Roan Highlands between Hughes Gap and Doll Flats (NOBO mile 374.1 to 392.5). Creating and maintaining campfires is prohibited. Hikers should use extreme caution with camp stoves and when smoking. Pack out all trash.
This area is home to rare and critically imperiled southern spruce-fir forest. A host of rare, threatened, and endangered species depend on this forest. Storm debris and downed trees left by Hurricane Helene in September of 2024 create the perfect fuel for wildfires to spread quickly, putting this unique ecosystem at risk. Help protect this special place by following the burn ban.
The ATC strongly urges all A.T. hikers to not have campfires anywhere between Davenport Gap and the New River at Pearisburg, VA (NOBO miles 239.4 to 637.8) due to all the downed trees from Helene.
An ATC staff member examines red spruce trees in the Roan Highlands.