Last Updated on April 20, 2025 3:15 pm
MARION, N.C., April 20, 2025 – Bee Rock Creek Fire Update – Grandfather Ranger District – McDowell County
Firefighters continue suppression operations on the 1,314-acre Bee Rock Creek Fire burning in steep terrain and storm debris in McDowell County near the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery. The fire is 27% contained and has 195 personnel from the USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, National Park Service, McDowell County and Woodlawn Fire Department.
Yesterday, firefighters began strategic firing operations to reduce unburned fuel between the fire’s north edge and the Blue Ridge Parkway and between dozer lines extending from the east and west sides of the fire up to the Parkway. Firefighters use carefully planned strategic firing operations while weather conditions will keep fire behavior low. This brings the fire to specific control features where there is the best chance of safely and successfully containing the fire. This work is expected to be completed today. Smoke from this planned event may affect McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
Firefighters will also be mopping up around the edges of the fire, using drones with infrared cameras to search for sources of heat and extinguishing them to secure containment.
The National Forests in North Carolina has closed the area of the Bee Rock Creek Fire between Armstrong Creek Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway for public and firefighter safety.
Some sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are also closed. Check the National Park Service website for details before visiting.
McDowell County Emergency Management has issued an evacuation order for all residences on Wild Acres Road off of NC 226 A. Click to view McDowell County’s live evacuation map.
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area each day from 10 a.m. to midnight. See the map at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_7644. Aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying to provide a safe environment for firefighting. If you fly, we can’t. If a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until the drone is clear of the area.
Please be aware of smoke and crews in the area. Drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check air quality at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov.
