Graham County, North Carolina — The Haoe Lead Fire has surpassed 3,000 acres after burning for 11 days, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

As of April 22, officials reported the fire had grown to 3,103 acres and was 29% contained. The blaze is located about 7 miles west of Robbinsville in the Nantahala National Forest.

The Forest Service said the fire began on April 12 from a lightning strike. Currently, 179 firefighters are working to contain the blaze. It is burning within and near the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on the Cheoah Ranger District and lies 2 miles west of Lake Santeetlah.

Adam Rondeau, a spokesperson for the Forest Service, confirmed on April 22 that the fire has not harmed the historic poplar trees in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Some of these trees are over 400 years old.

The fire remains entirely on National Forest System lands. No private properties or structures are at risk, and there are no evacuations in place or expected. The fire is burning in leaf litter and shrubs across steep terrain.

Much of the area currently affected is part of the burn scar from the 2016 Maple Springs Fire, which consumed nearly 8,000 acres.

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