Full Notification

Marion, N.C. (December 1, 2021) – Fire officials and emergency personnel responded to the scene of a forest fire on Pogue Mountain Tuesday afternoon.  Crews worked through the evening to control the flames, and are continuing work today to extinguish the blaze.  

North Carolina Forest Service officials estimate that as of this morning approximately 50 acres have burned.  Crews worked through Tuesday evening to construct lines of containment around the fire.  According to officials on scene no structures are threatened at this time.  Work will continue today with over 30 fire personnel on scene constructing additional containment lines.  Terrain in this area is extremely rugged with many areas only accessible by foot.

No one was injured in the fire.  There is still no information about how the fire started.      

A statewide burn ban was issued on Monday due to dangerous fire conditions across the state.  A local burn ban remains in effect for McDowell County further restricting any open burning within 100 feet of an occupied house or apartment.  “With the current conditions, a burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of outside fires spreading quickly.” stated McDowell County Fire Marshal, Andrew Pressley. “Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the county.”  All active burning permits have been canceled.  This burn ban is expected to remain in place until dry conditions no longer pose a serious fire threat in McDowell County.