MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Firefighters are battling a wildfire in rugged terrain in Northern McDowell County. The Bee Rock Branch Fire, began Tuesday afternoon near Armstrong Fish Hatchery. It spread quickly uphill through heavy storm debris left by Hurricane Helene just south of Little Switzerland. As of Wednesday morning, the fire has burned an estimated 175 acres and is currently 0% contained.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for residents off NC 226A on Wild Acres Road, including the Wild Acres Retreat Tuesday evening. The evacuation order will remain in effect until further notice. An emergency shelter is available for those displaced. Residents can call 828-652-3241 for more information.
Crews from federal and state agencies, along with multiple local fire departments on the ground and through air resources are working to contain the fire and protect homes in the area. No structures have been lost to the fire and there have not been any injuries reported.
Smoke may impact residents downwind of the wildfires and could cause reduced visibility to those closes to the fires. You can find the latest air quality and smoke outlook here. Authorities are asking the public to avoid Wild Acres Rd and Armstrong Creek Rd as they continue to battle the fire. These roads were severely damaged by Hurricane Helene and are narrow in many places.
The Bee Rock Branch Fire is being managed under unified command by the U.S. Forest Service, NC Forest Service, and Woodlawn Fire Department, with support from McDowell County Emergency Management, McDowell County EMS, and multiple surrounding departments in neighboring counties.
