National Forests in North Carolina

Forest Service News Release

Media Contact: Jenifer Bunty

828-767-5399

[email protected]

www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc

Locust Cove Fire #2 burning near Highway 80 on Grandfather Ranger District

Approx. 10 acres  | 0% containment 

Nebo, NC, November 30, 2023 - Firefighters are working to contain the Locust Cove #2 Fire in the vicinity of Highway 80 (locally known as Buck Creek Road) in the Sunnyvale area of McDowell County. The fire was reported to the North Carolina Forest Service at 4 p.m. on Nov. 29. The ignition source is unknown at this time. The fire is burning near Locust Cove Rd., within the fire scar of the first Locust Cove wildfire that burned over a larger area in March 2023.

U.S. Forest Service crews were onsite quickly after the initial report. Fire intensity is low and firefighters are working to clear existing firelines. A helicopter may be used today to drop water.

Smoke has drifted towards Marion, NC and may continue to affect the area today depending on wind direction. The U.S. Forest Service is working with the McDowell County Emergency Operations Center to place signs along Highway 80 to warn the public about smoke. Travelers on Highway 80 should proceed with caution as firefighters are operating in the area and smoke is possible, particularly in the mornings and evenings.