Full Notification

NEBO, N.C. (Feb. 26, 2025) – Yesterday afternoon, firefighters responded to the Armstrong Fire located along Armstrong Creek Road, off Highway 226A north of Marion, NC. Firefighters worked through the night to establish containment lines. The fire is currently estimated at 40 acres and is 30% contained. The Armstrong Fire is burning in rugged terrain on the U.S. Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest and on private property near the Armstrong Fish Hatchery. The fire is being managed under unified command with the North Carolina Forest Service.

The area where the fire is burning received significant damage from Hurricane Helene. When firefighters arrived on scene yesterday, the fire was moving up the mountain into areas of heavy tree blow down. A helicopter provided water drops to slow fire spread and protect private property along Armstrong Creek and Snow Hill Roads. Woodlawn Fire Department, Hankins Fire Department, Nebo Fire Department, Glenwood Fire Department, Ashford North Cove Fire Department, McDowell Rescue, McDowell EMS, and McDowell County Emergency Management assisted with structure protection through the night. Four homes were threatened and protected during initial attack last night. As of this morning, there is no imminent threat to structures and no evacuation orders are in place.

Firelines were installed around the Armstrong Fire perimeter last night. Burn-out operations were implemented to secure the firelines, removing the fuels between the active fire and the firelines. Today, firefighters will continue burn-out operations and work to extinguish hot spots near the firelines. Dry, warm, and windy conditions are expected to increase fire behavior today.

Smoke may impact communities around Highway 221 in North Cove and 226 between Marion and Spruce Pine this afternoon and overnight. The public is urged to use caution when driving through smoke, especially in the evening and morning commutes when smoke settles along the roadways.

Unseasonably warm conditions and low humidities mean fire risk is high throughout Western North Carolina. The public is urged to use caution with any outdoor burning.