According to a press release issued this morning by the United States Forest Service, firefighters in McDowell County, North Carolina are currently working to contain a 30-acre wildfire.
The fire, which is burning in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, was reported at 4:40 p.m. on December 18. Much of the wildfire is burning on Forest Service land, but a portion has extended into the Turkey Cove Community off 226A north of Marion, NC.
“Crews are working to establish fire lines around the fire. Once containment lines are established, firefighters plan to conduct burnout operations to remove fuels between the active fire and the fire lines,” the Forest Service wrote in a Tuesday morning press release. “Burnout operations are used to slow fire spread and increase containment. The public can expect to see increased smoke in the area from these operations. Smoke may settle in valleys and low-lying areas overnight, especially along US-226A and US-221.”
Motorist in the area should be aware that US-226A will remain open but will be used for firefighter traffic. Use caution and drive slowly if you must use the highway.
The Forest Service says that the cause of this fire is still under investigations. Anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area is urged to contact the the McDowell County Sherriff’s Office detective line at 828-652-2237.
