Several state parks in western North Carolina have been closed to allow additional staff and resources to be deployed to fight wildfires in South Mountains State Park and in and around Chimney Rock State Park. 

In addition to those parks, the division has closed New River, Gorges, Elk Knob, Lake James and Mount Mitchell state parks and Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.

People planning to visit other state parks in the western part of the state are advised to check the division’s web site at ncparks.gov before making the trip. The parks will reopen when the fires are contained or extinguished and staff are able to return to their assigned parks. A handful of staff will remain on duty in the closed parks for security purposes. 

The division has also expanded its burning ban on all fire, including charcoal, to all parks west of Interstate 95.

– article submitted by Don Reuter/NCDCR