Firefighters are actively responding to suppress a small wildfire in the Bald Knob Wilderness area, discovered on March 25, 2026. Shawnee National Forest resources, in coordination with forest partners and Alto Pass Volunteer Fire Department, responded, focusing immediately on protecting communication structures and infrastructure in the area.
To reduce the threat to public safety from fire, snags and rolling material, as well as for the safety of firefighters on scene, forest officials have temporarily closed Bald Knob Loop, Trails 201 and 201A.
The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain, with thick dead and down fuels from prior storms and insect outbreaks. Firefighters are attacking this with full suppression efforts.
Resource specialists with expertise in Wilderness policy and operations have been assigned to minimize fire suppression impacts. No structures have been impacted at this time, and crews are assessing for any other damage. The cause is under investigation.
To learn more about wildland fires visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire. To learn more about “good” prescribed fire, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/prescribed-fire.
For more information on alerts and closures, please visit our website or follow Shawnee National Forest’s Facebook.
To report information regarding this fire, please call or text the forest tipline (618) 201-3364.