Marion, North Carolina (WNCN) — A wildfire in the North Carolina mountains has burnt nearly 520 acres and is still spreading, putting four homes at risk, officials said Sunday.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire in McDowell County near Marion is currently 50 percent contained but continues to burn, with roughly 100 firefighters fighting the flames.
Wildfires have been a serious issue since Hurricane Helene felled hundreds of trees, giving fuel for any potential wildfire.
The Buck Creek Fire, which began with a downed powerline, is located east of N.C. 80 near Marion’s Lake Tahoma area.
The fire is mostly burning on United States Forest Service grounds in the Grandfather Ranger District, which is part of the Pisgah National Forest. Four houses remain under risk in the Buck Creek fire area.
The public can continue to expect smoke, particularly in Marion along the US 221 corridor.
“Use caution when driving through smoky areas, particularly in the evenings and mornings when smoke settles closer to the ground,” US Forest Service authorities cautioned.
With around 90 workers on the scene, the Buck Creek fire is being managed by the United States Forest Service and the North Carolina Forest Service under a unified command. McDowell County Emergency Management is assisting.
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