Wildfire in North Carolina mountains expands to 520 acres, with over 100 firefighters fighting the blaze

North Carolina’s Marion (WNCN) According to officials on Sunday, a wildfire in the mountains of North Carolina has burned almost 520 acres and is still growing, endangering four homes.

With over 100 firefighters battling the flames, the U.S. Forest Service reports that the fire in McDowell County, close to Marion, is currently 50% contained but still burning.

Since Hurricane Helene uprooted hundreds of trees, providing fuel for any future inferno, wildfires have become a major problem.

The Buck Creek Fire is situated east of N.C. 80 close to Marion’s Lake Tahoma area, and it started with a downed powerline.

The Grandfather Ranger District, which is a portion of the Pisgah National Forest, is where the majority of the fire is burning on USFS property. There are still four homes in danger in the Buck Creek fire area.

Smoke is still to be expected, especially near Marion along the US 221 corridor.

Authorities from the US Forest Service advised drivers to use caution when driving through smoky areas, especially in the morning and evening when smoke settles closer to the ground.

The United States Forest Service and the North Carolina Forest Service are working together under a single command to manage the Buck Creek fire, with about 90 personnel on the ground. Emergency Management of McDowell County is helping.

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