Methods and fire sealing systems for a panel of a gas turbine engine are provided. The fire sealing systems include a thermal blanket mounted on the panel, the thermal blanket having a close-out and defining a seal landing at a periphery edge of the panel, a seal retainer mounted to the panel along the seal landing, and a fire seal securely retained within the seal retainer, wherein at least one of the seal retainer or the fire seal comprises an extension portion and a blanket engaging portion such that a close-out volume formed between the thermal blanket and the fire seal above the close-out of the thermal blanket is enclosed.