Evacuations Are Ordered as Wildfire Breaks Out in McDowell County

Thursday, January 30, 2025 - 10:32am

Officials ordered evacuations as a major brush fire broke out on Wednesday in a rural area in McDowell County, N.C., that has now burned about 250 acres.

The Crooked Creek fire is threatening the nearby town of Old Fort, N.C., a small Western North Carolina community about 25 miles from Asheville.

As of 06:55 a.m. today, the Crooked Creek Fire in McDowell County has burned an estimated 250 acres and is now 55% contained. Emergency crews made significant progress overnight as winds diminished and relative humidity increased leading to lower fire activity.

The county said that the fire was caused by a tree falling onto a power line. Some Old Fort residents have reported power outages and limited cell service. Several outbuildings have been destroyed by the flames, but no injuries have been reported. First Baptist Church in Old Fort is serving as a shelter for displaced residents.

Before the fire broke out, the North Carolina Forest Service said on social media that the risk of fire was high on Wednesday.

High winds expanding the fire’s reach are expected to taper off tonight but there is potential for more gusts on Friday. The Forest Service recommended that residents refrain from outdoor burning, such as campfires and fires for cooking. The Appalachian area is host to several hiking trails.

Two more wildfires broke out in Marion, the county seat. There is no evacuation order for the city, but officials have instructed residents to stay away.

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