Charlotte North Carolina News

No injuries or deaths have been reported as hundreds of acres have burned in the Old Fort area. OLD FORT, N.C. — A wildfire that burned an estimated 220 acres in McDowell County was likely sparked when high winds knocked down a power line near Old Fort, emergency officials said on Thursday. McDowell County Emergency Management said the Crooked Creek Fire, which started around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, burned approximately 220 acres. The fire was…

As of about 7 a.m. Thursday, there were no reported injuries or fatalities. OLD FORT, N.C. — A 250-acre wildfire in McDowell County is now 55% contained and evacuation orders have been lifted, officials confirmed on Thursday morning.  As of 7 a.m., the Crooked Creek Fire in the Old Fort area is 55% contained after dozens of firefighters made significant progress overnight. Officials said calming winds and higher humidity reduced fire activity as firefighters worked…

The live concert will bring together some of the biggest names in Hollywood — including some directly affected by the fire — to raise money for recovery efforts. LOS ANGELES — Some of the biggest names in music will come together Thursday for the FireAid benefit concert that is raising money for Los Angeles-area wildfire relief efforts. FireAid will take over two Inglewood, California, venues — the the Kia Forum starting at 6:00pm PST and…

The live concert will bring together some of the biggest names in Hollywood — including some directly affected by the fire — to raise money for recovery efforts. LOS ANGELES — Some of the biggest names in music will come together Thursday for the FireAid benefit concert that is raising money for Los Angeles-area wildfire relief efforts. FireAid will take over two Inglewood, California, venues — the the Kia Forum starting at 6:00pm PST and…

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…

The 200-acre Crooked Creek Fire has 15% containment as winds continue to gust near 30 mph. OLD FORT, N.C. — A large wildfire burning near Old Fort that’s spread to 200 acres is now 15% contained, according to the McDowell County Emergency Management Administration.  Evacuation orders are still in place as crews work to contain the flames amid dangerous conditions caused by high winds and dry weather.  Residents living between the 3000 and 4500 block…

The 200-acre Crooked Creek Fire has 5% containment as winds continue to gust near 30 mph. OLD FORT, N.C. — A large wildfire burning near Old Fort that’s spread to 200 acres is now 5% contained, according to the McDowell County Emergency Management Administration.  Evacuation orders are still in place as crews work to contain the flames amid dangerous conditions caused by high winds and dry weather.  Residents living between the 3000 and 4500 block…

The 80-acre fire has 0% containment as winds continue to gust near 30 mph. OLD FORT, N.C. — An “out of control” wildfire burning near Old Fort is forcing evacuations, according to the McDowell County Emergency Management Administration. The 80-acre fire has 0% containment, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. Residents living between the 3000 and 4500 block of Bat Cave Road, Pine Cove Road, Juliet Drive, and Roy Moore Road should evacuate until…

The 80-acre fire has 0% containment as winds continue to gust near 30 mph. OLD FORT, N.C. — An “out of control” wildfire burning near Old Fort is forcing evacuations, according to the McDowell County Emergency Management Administration. The 80-acre fire has 0% containment, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. Residents living between the 3000 and 4500 block of Bat Cave Road, Pine Cove Road, Juliet Drive, and Roy Moore Road should evacuate until…

The 50-acre fire has 0% containment as winds continue to gust near 30 mph. OLD FORT, N.C. — An “out of control” wildfire burning near Old Fort is forcing evacuations, according to the McDowell County Emergency Management Administration. The 50-acre fire has 0% containment, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. Residents living in the 3000-4500 block of Bat Cave Road, Pine Cove Road, Juliet Drive, and Roy Moore Road – including all side roads…

The 50-acre fire has 0% containment as winds continue to gust near 30 mph. OLD FORT, N.C. — An “out of control” wildfire burning near Old Fort is forcing evacuations, according to the McDowell County Emergency Management Administration. The 50-acre fire has 0% containment, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. Residents living in the 3000-4500 block of Bat Cave Road, Pine Cove Road, Juliet Drive, and Roy Moore Road – including all side roads…

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Duke Energy is launching a new grant to provide a total of $500,000 to support organizations that are championing long-term recovery efforts in western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Western North Carolina-based nonprofit organizations working on these recovery efforts can apply for grants up to $25,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation. Duke Energy said this effort builds on its previous commitment of  more than $2.2 million to support…

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Duke Energy is launching a new grant to provide a total of $500,000 to support organizations that are championing long-term recovery efforts in western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Western North Carolina-based nonprofit organizations working on these recovery efforts can apply for grants up to $25,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation. Duke Energy said this effort builds on its previous commitment of  more than $2.2 million to support…

In an interview aired Wednesday night, Trump said he may withhold aid to California until the state adjusts how it manages its scarce water resources. WASHINGTON — California Republicans are pushing back against suggestions by President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans that federal disaster aid for victims of wildfires that ravaged Southern California should come with strings attached, possibly jeopardizing the president’s policy agenda in a deeply divided Congress at the outset…

The program, which started in 25 counties, now covers 39 counties across the state. RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is offering more temporary jobs to help communities rebuild after Hurricane Helene.  The program, which started in 25 counties, now covers 39 counties across the state. The U.S. Department of Labor is funding the program with $10 million. This money helps put people to work on storm cleanup and community assistance projects. “Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc…