Buck Creek Fire 100% Contained

NEBO, N.C. (Dec. 10, 2024) – Significant rainfall extinguished remaining heat on the Buck Creek Fire, which is now 100% contained at a final size of 518 acres. No houses were lost or damaged in the fire. The Buck Creek Fire, which began from a downed powerline, is located east of Highway 80 in the Lake Tahoma area of Marion, NC.

Firefighters responded to the Buck Creek Fire on Thursday afternoon, December 6, when high winds caused multiple fires from downed power lines across McDowell County. Initial efforts were focused on protection of the four houses that were threatened by the fire. Firefighters worked to install fire beaks near the fire perimeter and used a helicopter to drop water, which slowed fire spread that evening. However, high winds and dry conditions lead to increased fire activity overnight, prompting fire managers to fall back to containment lines last used in the Sugar Cove fire in 2017.

Damage from Hurricane Helene in the area meant firefighters had to mitigate hazards from downed and damaged trees as they assessed fire lines. Once firefighters were able to reestablish and secure fire lines, burnout operations were used to increase containment on Saturday evening. Burnout operations successfully removed the remaining fuel between the active fire and the firelines, limiting additional fire spread. Significant rainfall beginning Sunday night extinguished remaining hot spots allowing fire managers to transition into a monitoring status for the fire.

Of the total 518 acres for the Buck Creek Fire, 392 acres were on U.S. Forest Service lands in the Grandfather Ranger District, part of the Pisgah National Forest. 126 acres of private lands were also within the fire area. Both U.S. Forest Service and NC Forest Service resources worked under a unified command. McDowell County Emergency Management, McDowell County Rescue, Enka-Candler Fire and Rescue and local fire departments from Pleasant Gardens, Woodlawn, Hankins, and Marion assisted.

This will be the final update for the Buck Creek Fire. We would like to thank our firefighters and first responders for their work protecting our forests and communities both from Hurricane Helene and this fire. We ask the public to be extra careful with fire this holiday season so everyone in the community can enjoy the holidays with their families.