Sugar Cove Fire Burning near Marion

NEBO, NC (January 29, 2017)…The 150-acre Sugar Cove Fire is burning on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest and private land near Marion, NC.

The fire is burning in leaf litter and underbrush along the Haines Eyebrow Ridge between Singecat Branch and Burgins Fork. NC Highway 80 is temporarily closed to all but local traffic between Buck Creek Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Little Buck Road near Lake Tahoma. No other road or trail closures are currently in effect but the public is asked to avoid the area for firefighter and public safety.

There are 43 personnel on scene from the North Carolina and U.S. Forest Service, local volunteer fire departments from McDowell County, and McDowell County Emergency Management.

The fire began on Saturday, January 28, at approximately 1 pm and resulted from a brush burn pile that escaped. No structures are currently threatened.

The currently active fire behavior is likely to increase with predicted wind gusts this evening. Nearby residents and travelers will see and smell smoke, which will likely settle in the valleys in and near Marion overnight.

The public is encouraged to use extreme caution with outdoor fires. Western North Carolina continues to be abnormally dry despite recent rain and snow. Don’t burn on windy days.

Take time now to prepare your home against wildfires. Tips on protecting your property can be found at www.ncfirewise.org.

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