GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Update (9/28): The National Park Service said crews have fully contained a backcountry fire along Fontana Lake.
Firefighters said they will continue monitoring the fire through the weekend, saying people may see smoke from smoldering leaves and brush around backcountry campsite 87. The campsite remains closed.
Crews are still investigating to figure out what started the fire. No structures were threatened.
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Original Story:
The National Park Service said firefighters were suppressing a small wildfire on Tuesday near Backcountry Campsite 87 on Fontana Lake's shore.
The campsite is located on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fire was reported at around 1:30 p.m. and firefighters were expected to stay in the area overnight to suppress the fire.
NPS said Tuesday that the fire was up to ten acres large. Rangers said no structures were threatened by the fire, but said smoke could be visible.
According to a release from NPS, the fire was smoldering and creeping through timber and brush understory with "significant leaf litter." They said crews were using a "full suppression attack" and they said Tuesday evening there was no threat to the fire lines.
They also said the cause of the fire was under investigation.