National Forests in North Carolina

U.S. Forest Service News Release

Media Contact: Jenifer Bunty

828-767-5399

[email protected]

www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc

Clear Creek Fire Update

Approx. 124 acres | 0% containment 

Nebo, NC, December 1, 2023 - Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, the N.C. Forest Service, Pleasant Gardens Volunteer Fire Department, and McDowell County Emergency Management are responding to a 2nd fire on the Grandfather Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest. The Clear Creek Fire is burning near Highway 80, south of Lake Tahoma, in McDowell County. A drone using Infrared imaging estimated the fire at 124 acres. Containment is at 0%.

The fire began on private land on Nov. 30th. It is burning about 2 miles south of the Locust Cove #2 Fire, which is also burning on U.S. Forest Service land. 90 Firefighters are currently responding to the Clear Creek fire. Firefighting efforts are focused on structure and point protection and securing perimeters around private properties.

Smoke from Locust Cove #2 and the Clear Creek Fire is drifting throughout the area. Travelers in the Highway 80 corridor (locally known as Buck Creek Road), should proceed with caution, particularly in the evenings and mornings when smoke may settle.