Full Notification

Firefighters made significant progress in containing the Armstrong Fire today, which is now 52 acres and 90% contained. The Armstrong Fire is burning in McDowell County along Armstrong Creek Road, north of Marion, NC on the U.S. Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest and on private property near the Armstrong Fish Hatchery. The area where the fire is burning received significant damage from Hurricane Helene.

After completing firelines around the burn area, fire managers assessed the fire area today with a drone to determine fire activity and remaining fuels. Assessments revealed successful burnout operations on Tuesday night helped to consume much of the remaining fuels. Without much available fuel, fire activity was minimal today. Firefighters were able to complete remaining burnout operations where fuel was left near the firelines this afternoon. Operations now are shifting to extinguish remaining hot spots near the firelines.

The cause of the fire is confirmed to be an accidental ignition from a back-yard debris burn. 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.

While four homes were initially threatened, at this time there are no imminent threats to structures and no evacuation orders in place. 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. The Armstrong Fire is managed under unified command with the North Carolina Forest Service.

Photo Credit: Lisa Jennings, USFS Public Information Officer