Last Updated on March 18, 2016 12:45 pm
*Saturday Update available, click here*
NEBO, N.C., March 18, 2016 – The Sheehan Creek Fire was reported yesterday afternoon, March 17, in the Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County.
The fire is burning through rugged terrain in a remote area along Little Buck Creek, north of Lake Tahoma and approximately 7 miles northwest of Marion, N.C. The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation.
The fire is estimated at 60 acres. There are no structures or resources at risk. Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service are working to contain the fire by this evening. 21 firefighters are currently assigned to the incident. A helicopter will be assisting this afternoon.
Firefighters responding to the incident include local Pisgah National Forest staff as well as firefighters from the Lakeview Fuels Module, a specialized crew from Oregon brought in to assist with fires in the Southern Region.
Minimizing risk for firefighters, local communities, and the public are primary goals. Members of the public in and around Marion may see and smell smoke through early afternoon.
The Mountains to Sea trail in the Woods Mountain area, from Betsey's Ridge to Hazelnut Gap will be closed until the fire is fully contained. A portion of Little Buck Road is also closed. Forest Service officials are asking the public to avoid the area for their own safety and the safety of emergency response personnel on scene.
