MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — High winds downed powerlines across McDowell County on Thursday morning, sparking two wildfires in areas recovering from Hurricane Helene damage. Firefighters are working to contain the Newberry Creek and Buck Creek fires. Both are burning on the U.S. Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District, part of Pisgah National Forest.
The Newberry Creek Fire is in the Curtis Creek area near Old Fort. The fire was estimated at 5 acres and 70 percent contained as of Friday morning, U.S. Forest Service officials said in a social media post.
Firefighters made significant progress in containing the fire Thursday the post said. A helicopter assisted with water drops as containment lines were installed. Fire activity was minimal Friday, with burning limited to the interior of the fire area. Firefighters are continuing to monitor the firelines and extinguish hot spots.
Twenty-five firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service were on scene Friday, the social media post said. Initial response Thursday was supported by Old Fort and Crooked Creek fire departments as well as McDowell County Emergency Management. No structures are at risk from the Newberry Creek fire, forest officials said.
2 WILDFIRES BURNING IN MCDOWELL COUNTY
The Buck Creek Fire east of Highway 80 in the Lake Tahoma area of Marion was estimated at 55 acres and 20 percent contained as of Friday morning, forest officials said. Firefighting efforts Thursday focused on installing fire breaks to slow the progress of the fire. Windy and dry conditions limited operations.
On Friday, fire managers assessed the area for additional firelines and will be constructing lines around the perimeter where feasible, fire officials said. The fire is burning in rugged terrain with areas of downed trees from Hurricane Helene. The fire is expected to continue to grow as wind conditions moderate.
Four houses are at risk within the Buck Creek fire area, forest officials said. The North Carolina Forest Service completed structure protection operations Thursday and continued to monitor private property Friday as the fire spread to the north further into the national forest.
Helicopters assisted with water drops Friday, focused on directing fire activity away from homes in the area.
U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service resources are working under a unified command for the Buck Creek fire with approximately 85 personnel on scene. Local fire departments from Pleasant Gardens, Woodlawn and Marion as well as McDowell County Emergency Management are assisting. Additional resources continue to arrive to support fire operations, forest officials said.
The public is encouraged to use extreme caution with any outdoor fires. Western North Carolina continues to be abnormally dry despite recent rain and snow. For tips on protecting your property, visit www.ncfirewise.org.
Highway 80 and Curtis Creek Road in McDowell County remain closed except to local traffic because of damage from Hurricane Helene. Please avoid the area for the safety of our firefighters and the public.