U.S. Forest Service warns of possible “super fog” near Table Rock fire

Press release from the U.S. Forest Service

Table Rock Wildfire Contributing to Potential Super Fog

BURKE COUNTY, NC – U.S. Forest Service officials are predicting the potential for a super fog event tonight for the area south and east of the Table Rock fire, in Burke County. A super fog occurs as a result of certain weather conditions that create dangerous driving conditions which makes it unsafe for travel. Smoke from the Linville Gorge area combined with low temperatures, high humidity, stagnant air, and a low cloud ceiling, can cause dense fog to accumulate on the ground. If this event occurs, it is likely to intensify overnight tonight, and worsen between the hours of 5:00 am and 7:00 am Saturday morning.

The area of greatest impact could be along the Burke/McDowell county line, affecting State Highway 126. However, conditions could extend to Interstate 40, between the Nebo and Glen Alpine communities. Dense fog is expected to follow the Linville River drainage into Lake James, continuing into areas below the lake. Any community east and south of the Linville Gorge may experience an increase in smoke as the evening progresses. A stretch of State Highway 181 has been reported to be impacted by dense smoke and fog, between Fish Hatchery Road and Jonas Ridge.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation and State Highway Patrol have been notified of this potential event and those agencies will manage all necessary road closures.

For more information about the Table Rock fire, contact the Grandfather Ranger District at 828-652-2144, or the Fire Information Officer at 910-975-0803.

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About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

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