- North Carolina officials make urgent request to lawmakers on Helene and other hurricanes
- Firefighters make significant progress on western NC wildfires overnight
- Star-studded FireAid benefit concert for LA wildfire relief kicks off Thursday night. Here's how to watch
- FireAid, a benefit for LA wildfire relief, is almost here. Here's how to watch and donate
- Crews continue to make progress on wildfires in McDowell County
Crews continue to make progress on wildfires in McDowell County
As of the 5:30 a.m. update Thursday, there were no reported injuries or fatalities.
OLD FORT, N.C. — Fire crews in McDowell County are working to contain two fires early Friday morning.
As of the 5:30 a.m. update Friday, officials confirmed fire crews had made good progress on the Crooked Creek fire and North Fork fire.
In a previous update, the McDowell County Emergency Management Administration said the Crooked Creek near Old Fort had spread to 200 acres and was 15% contained. The 5:30 a.m. update did not contain acreage and containment numbers, but officials said officials are working to get updated information.
Evacuation orders are still in place as crews work to contain the flames amid dangerous conditions caused by high winds and dry weather, though an update is expected at 8 a.m.
Residents living between the 3000 and 4500 block of Bat Cave Road, Pine Cove Road, Julia Drive, and Roy Moore Road should evacuate until this fire is under control, the county emergency management agency advised. Officials advised this includes any residents living on side streets in that area.
At this time, there aren’t any evacuation orders for the North Fork Fire, as much of the fire itself is on US Forest Service property, officials said.
An emergency shelter is opening at First Baptist Church on East Main Street in Old Fort.
Firefighters are trying to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes. As of 5:30 a.m. Thursday, no injuries or deaths have been reported with either fire. One home has been damaged due to the Crooked Creek fire, with multiple outbuildings destroyed.
Gusty winds helped spread the fire and made it difficult to control, according to emergency officials. Nearby weather observations showed winds gusty at least 30 mph throughout much of the day on Wednesday.
The WCNC Weather Impact Team has been warning about an increased fire danger this week. Weather conditions such as low humidity and gusty winds can promote the start and spread of fire.
RAISE YOUR WEATHER IQ: North Carolina wildfire season
WCNC Charlotte’s weather camera in northern Gaston County could see the smokey air quality toward western North Carolina on Wednesday. Across the Carolinas, there is an elevated risk of fire spread.
The McDowell County fire emergency was briefly mentioned by state lawmakers at the start of Wednesday’s House Select Committee on Helene Recovery. Co-Chair Rep. Dudley Greene made mention of the fire emergency impacting some lawmakers and residents.
McDowell County was one of the counties damaged by Helene. Downed trees and other storm debris has long been feared as a factor increasing fire danger in the months ahead.