MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Firefighters — with a little help from Mother Nature — have made significant headway on the Buck Creek Fire, which began Thursday from a downed powerline.
The 518-acre fire east of N.C. 80 in the Lake Tahoma area of Marion is about 75 percent contained, the U.S. Forest Service said in a social media post Monday night.
Firefighters monitored the fire Sunday to determine the success of burnout operations conducted Saturday evening. Limited fire activity was observed, and no additional fire growth was seen, the social media post said.
Favorable conditions allowed fire managers to accurately map the fire area by foot. The total fire size is now estimated at 518 acres, down from the 520 reported Sunday because of the improved mapping.
Rainfall in the area has helped reduce hot spots and increase containment.
Firefighters monitored the fire Monday, focusing on areas around private property. Additional rainfall expected over the next several days should help extinguish any remaining flames, the U.S. Forest Service social media post said. Hot spots may still be present in the interior of the fire area, and smoke could still be experienced in areas near Marion.
The fire is burning primarily on U.S. Forest Service lands in the Grandfather Ranger District, part of Pisgah National Forest. U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service resources are working under a unified command for the Buck Creek Fire with about 48 personnel on scene. McDowell County Emergency Management is assisting.
N.C. 80 in McDowell County remains closed except to local traffic because of damage from Tropical Storm Helene. Please avoid the area for the safety of firefighters and the public.
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