Wildfire closes portion of N.C. Highway 80 in Mountains

ASHEVILLE, NC (November 23, 2016)…A 10-mile section of N.C. 80 in McDowell County has been closed due to smoke and safety concerns resulting from the Clear Creek Fire.

The highway is closed from Old Toms Creek on the south end to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Yancey County line on the north end. It will remain closed until emergency officials deem is safe for all motorists.
A 41-mile marked detour takes motorists on U.S. 221 north, then on N.C. 226 west to Spruce Pine, next to Micaville on U.S. 19E, then back down N.C. 80 to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

As of Wednesday, N.C. 80 is the only highway closed due to wildfire in the westernmost 25 counties of the state. Department of Transportation officials will continue working with other agencies to monitor the impact of wildfires on infrastructure in Western North Carolina.

Transportation officials remind motorists that wildfires create smoke that can quickly reduce visibility. Motorists are urged to slow down, use windshield-wipers, low-beam lights and close windows when driving in smoky conditions. Drivers need to exercise extreme caution when driving through smoked-in conditions.

For real-time travel information, visit the Traveler Services section of NCDOT.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.