Last Updated on April 10, 2017 4:07 pm
A fire in McDowell County continues to send smoke into the High Country as winds have shifted. The Dobson Knob Fire was reported yesterday evening, Sunday April 9th. The Fire is burning on the north side of Dobson Knob off Old Linville Road near the North Cove Community, north of Marion, NC. The fire is estimated at 125 acres and 0% contained, according to the National Forest Service on Monday morning.
Facebook Video provided to WataugaOnline.com courtesy of James Combs
The fire started on private property and is now burning on both private land and U.S. Forest Service land on the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The North Carolina Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, McDowell County Emergency Management, and local Volunteer Fire Departments are responding. Structures are in the area. Firefighters are currently working on structure protection. The number one objective of fire response is protection of public and firefighter safety.
The U.S. Forest Service has issued an emergency closure for the Mountains to Sea Trail (Trail #440) from the North Fork of the Catawba River to Old NC 105 (SR 1238 / Kistler Memorial Highway) and Dobson Knob Road (FSRD 106). Fire managers are looking at a larger area closure. Additional information is expected to be released later today. The public is asked to avoid the area.
Photo courtesy of Emily Proshuto
