UPDATE: Western NC forest fire up to 130 acres as firefighters burn brush to save homes
A forest fire burning 26 miles east of Asheville has grown up to 130 acres as fire fighters burn trees and brush to save homes.
The fire in McDowell County has been dubbed the Locust Cove No. 2 Fire. It is in the vicinity of U.S. 80, locally known as Buck Creek Road, in the Sunnyvale area of McDowell County, the forest service said in a Nov. 30 release sent by spokesperson Jenifer Bunty. That is in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.
The fire, which has grown from 10 acres since 1 p.m. remains 0% contained, Bunty said.
"The U.S. Forest Service began burnout operations today to reduce fuels and protect private lands and homes adjacent to the wildfire. The increased acreage is primarily due to burnout operations," she said.
Locust Cove #2 was first reported 4 p.m. Nov. 29. The ignition source is unknown. Meanwhile, a second fire has started nearby, the Clear Creek Fire to which firefighters are also responding.
Smoke has drifted toward Marion to the east and may continue to affect the area today depending on wind direction. Motorists on and around U.S. 80 have been urged to use caution in the area and may experience low visibility because of the smoke.
More than 60 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service are working under a unified command to clear fire lines that were established in the first Locust Cove Fire that burned through the area in March. A helicopter crew completed several water-drops to slow progression of the head of the fire.
The fire follows several others that burned for long periods across Western North Carolina, including the Black Bear Fire in Haywood County and the Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County.
The news of the latest wildfire comes the same day Buncombe County canceled its outdoor burn ban, which had been in effect since Nov. 5.
More: Buncombe County to cancel burn ban, citing light winds, Great Smokies ban lifted
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: New forest fire in Western NC; smoke hampers driving; 'caution' urged
