Three wildfires have ignited in North Carolina near towns that were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene last year.
The first blaze, known as the Crooked Creek Fire, broke out in McDowell County on Wednesday. It has scorched nearly 250 acres and is currently 55% contained.
A second wildfire, dubbed the North Fork Fire, ignited just hours later, burning 60 acres. As of now, it remains completely uncontained.
According to McDowell County Emergency Services, “Local fire departments are on the scene and working in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service to protect structures and monitor fire behavior.”
Fire officials added, “Emergency personnel will remain on-site throughout the day to oversee the situation and ensure further containment efforts.”
As of Thursday morning, no fatalities or injuries have been reported due to the wildfires.
The North Fork Fire erupted in western North Carolina’s McDowell County, an area still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene just four months ago. It follows the Crooked Creek Fire, which began a day earlier in Old Fort, a small town of about 800 residents.
Emergency officials are actively monitoring the North Fork Fire. While it has reached 60 acres with no containment, authorities have stated, “There is no imminent threat to structures.”
McDowell emergency services initially described the Crooked Creek Fire as “out of control.” However, in their latest update on Thursday morning, they reported that significant progress had been made overnight. By 7 a.m. local time, the fire had expanded to 250 acres but was 55% contained.
Officials credited improved weather conditions—decreased winds and increased humidity—for slowing the fire’s spread. As a result, evacuation orders for affected areas were lifted at 8 a.m. local time. However, emergency personnel will remain on-site throughout the day to ensure continued containment.
A large wildfire continues to grow in McDowell County near Old Fort. The Crooked Creek Fire has reached 250 acres, adding to the challenges faced by communities already affected by Hurricane Helene. Despite the devastation, firefighters have made steady progress in containing the blaze.
A large wildfire continues to grow in McDowell County near Old Fort, the Crooked Creek Fire; folks in Western North Carolina can’t catch a break. It is now at 250 acres. These areas were hit hard by Hurricane Helene, but firefighters have made progress.
Photo: Montana Eck pic.twitter.com/xovwE3Qvj4
— Casimiro Cervantes (Casimiro Media Productions) (@CasimiroMedia) January 30, 2025