MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Crews were able to make progress overnight on a wildfire that has been burning in McDowell County since Wednesday afternoon.
As of noon Thursday, the Crooked Creek Fire that had burned an estimated 220 acres was 55 percent contained, McDowell County emergency officials said. Emergency crews were helped overnight by diminishing winds and an increase in relative humidity.
By midmorning, the evacuation order for the affected areas had been lifted.
Emergency personnel will continue to remain on-site throughout the day to monitor the situation and ensure further containment of the fire, McDowell County officials said in an alert.
There have been no injuries or fatalities reported. However, one home was damaged and several outbuildings were destroyed, officials said.
Crooked Creek Fire by the numbers:
- Size: 250 acres
- Containment: 55 percent
- Evacuation order: To be lifted: 08:00 a.m. on 1/30/25
- Structures impacted: 1 home damaged, multiple outbuildings destroyed
- Injuries/fatalities: 0
McDowell County emergency officials are working with local, state and federal agencies to ensure the safety of residents and further containment of the fire.
To receive McDowell County emergency alerts text 28752 to 888777.
PRIOR COVERAGE: CROOKED CREEK FIRE GROWS TO 200 ACRES, 5% CONTAINED
The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert for Mitchell, Yancey, Burke and McDowell counties until midnight Friday.
According to the NWS, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulates as concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
Officials did not say if the alert was because of the wildfires burning in the area.