Firefighters have made “significant progress” on containing the Buck Creek Fire in McDowell County, using burnout operations to secure fire lines.
According to a release, the fire, which began from a downed powerline, grew to 520 acres and is located east of Highway 80 in the Lake Tahoma area of Marion, N.C.
The Dec. 8 release said that while firefighter operations focused on “fireline construction and securing private property,” crews worked specifically on burnout operations once the firelines were complete on Dec. 7.
The release said the fire primarily burns on U.S. Forest Service lands in the Grandfather Ranger District, and firefighters will continue to work to improve firelines.
According to the release, the U.S. and North Carolina Forest Service resources are working under a unified command for the Buck Creek fire. The N.C. Forest Service is monitoring private property within the area, where four houses remain at risk.
The release said approximately 90 personnel are on the scene, and McDowell County Emergency Management is also assisting efforts.
Although the release said that smoke from the Buck Creel Fire has “noticeably improved as this morning,” the public should still expect to see smoke, particularly in Marion along the Highway 221 corridor, and are encouraged to use caution when driving through smoky areas.
The release said that Highway 80 in McDowell County remains closed except to local traffic due to damage from Hurricane Helene. The public is asked to avoid the area for their own safety and that of firefighters.
Photo by US Forest Service
