ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Marion woman has been cited and charged in connection with a wildfire now burning in McDowell County, where officials say improperly discarded smoking material sparked the blaze.
The Jumping Branch Fire, reported Sunday in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest about 8 miles northwest of Marion, has burned 185 acres and was 20 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. A total of 173 personnel are assigned to the fire.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman as Hilary Brooke Inman, 38, who was charged under a North Carolina law prohibiting the ignition of fires on grassland, brushland or woodland without fully extinguishing them.
Firefighters continued to make progress Tuesday, maintaining containment while additional crews arrived to assist with suppression efforts.
If weather and fuel conditions allow, crews plan to conduct strategic firing operations to remove unburned vegetation between the main fire and control lines along Sugar Cove and Sam’s Creek to the north and Locust Cove to the south. Firefighters will use drip torches and unmanned aerial systems for aerial ignitions to help reduce fire intensity. Aircraft are also supporting ground crews with monitoring and water or retardant drops.
Smoke from the fire is visible in Buck Creek, Marion and surrounding communities.
Officials said the fire is burning in an area heavily impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, where numerous downed trees are contributing to increased wildfire intensity and risk.
Unified command has been established among the U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County Emergency Management and local fire agencies, with assistance from volunteer fire departments in McDowell and nearby counties.
Drivers are urged to avoid N.C. Highway 80 in the Buck Creek area due to firefighter activity and reduced visibility from smoke. A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the fire area, and officials warned that drones and unauthorized aircraft are prohibited.