Bee Rock Creek Fire 856 acres with evacuations in McDowell County, Haoe Fire in Graham County reaches over 1,000 acres
By Lilly Knoepp
April 15, 2025 at 2:49 PM EDT
Updated April 18 at 2 p.m.
Wildfire danger is high right now in Western North Carolina due to dry conditions. Fire danger is high in 17 western counties, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
When the fire risk is "high" unattended brush and campfires are likely to start fires that spread rapidly. "Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small," according to the U.S. Forest Service. (1512x1375, AR: 1.0996363636363637)
Fires have been sparking, causing an evacuation in McDowell County and firefighter response across the region.
Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County
U.S. Forest Service crews responded to a wildfire burning in McDowell County near the Armstrong Fish Hatchery on Tuesday, April 15. When they arrived, the fire was estimated to 3-4 acres and was moving uphill through heavy storm debris. The fire, dubbed the Bee Rock Creek Fire, is now 856 acres and 10% contained.
On April 17, the fire continued to move uphill and is was 504 acres and 10% contained.
On April 16, the fire was 300 acres and 0% contained.
Officials announced an evacuation of Wild Acres Road due to the fire at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16. Here is a live evacuation of the map.
The U.S. Forest Service shared that the fire is spreading out on all sides and has crossed Pups Branch Creek by approximately 50 acres.
"Firefighters are focused on protecting structures such as the hatchery and homes around Armstrong Creek. Crews along the eastern edge of the fire are utilizing hand tools, engines and aerial resources to directly fight the fire. Crews to the western side are scouting areas to best contain the fire," according to a press release.
The cause of fire is still under investigation.
South Carter Cove Incident in Clay County
The South Carter Cove Incident has burned 150 acres in Clay County and is 85% contained, according to U.S. Wildfire Map. According to the wildfire map, the fire is now a prescribed burn and over 1,000 acres.
Clay County Fire and Rescue officials were asking residents in Tusquittee on Eves Overlook or Nancy Lane to call Clay County Dispatch if they need assistance near a wildfire. The fire started on April 15.
“We are in need of contact information for these residents and need to know if you require any assistance while we work to gain containment of this wildfire,” Clay County Emergency Management posted on Facebook.
The non-emergency line for Clay County Dispatch is 828-389-2256.
Haoe Fire in Graham County
The U.S. Forest Service announced portions of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness are closed due to a wildfire.
The Haoe Fire in Graham County is now 20 acres. (2126x1647, AR: 1.2908318154219793)
The Haoe fire started on April 12 and was caused by a lightning strike and is now over 1,000 acres and zero percent contained. The fire is about seven miles west of Robbinsville in Graham County and two miles west of Lake Santeetlah. The fire is in the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest.
On April 17, the fire was 800 acres.
“Visitor and employee safety are the highest priorities for the Forest Service, so the public should stay out of this area while fire crews work to contain the blaze,” the Forest Service said in a press release.
There were 50 personnel assisting with the firefighting efforts including crews from U.S. Forest Service - Cherokee National Forest on April 17. Now 84 people are working on the blaze.
On April 15, the fire was 120 acres and about two miles from the Joyce-Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail and separated by several “natural features, including the Little Santeetlah Creek drainage,” according to the Forest Service.
On Wednesday, the fire spread onto the Joyce-Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail. The trail is now closed.
The following trails are closed:
Wildfire danger is high right now in Western North Carolina due to dry conditions. Fire danger is high in 17 western counties, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
When the fire risk is "high" unattended brush and campfires are likely to start fires that spread rapidly. "Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small," according to the U.S. Forest Service. (1512x1375, AR: 1.0996363636363637)
Fires have been sparking, causing an evacuation in McDowell County and firefighter response across the region.
Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County
U.S. Forest Service crews responded to a wildfire burning in McDowell County near the Armstrong Fish Hatchery on Tuesday, April 15. When they arrived, the fire was estimated to 3-4 acres and was moving uphill through heavy storm debris. The fire, dubbed the Bee Rock Creek Fire, is now 856 acres and 10% contained.
On April 17, the fire continued to move uphill and is was 504 acres and 10% contained.
On April 16, the fire was 300 acres and 0% contained.
Officials announced an evacuation of Wild Acres Road due to the fire at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16. Here is a live evacuation of the map.
The U.S. Forest Service shared that the fire is spreading out on all sides and has crossed Pups Branch Creek by approximately 50 acres.
"Firefighters are focused on protecting structures such as the hatchery and homes around Armstrong Creek. Crews along the eastern edge of the fire are utilizing hand tools, engines and aerial resources to directly fight the fire. Crews to the western side are scouting areas to best contain the fire," according to a press release.
The cause of fire is still under investigation.
South Carter Cove Incident in Clay County
The South Carter Cove Incident has burned 150 acres in Clay County and is 85% contained, according to U.S. Wildfire Map. According to the wildfire map, the fire is now a prescribed burn and over 1,000 acres.
Clay County Fire and Rescue officials were asking residents in Tusquittee on Eves Overlook or Nancy Lane to call Clay County Dispatch if they need assistance near a wildfire. The fire started on April 15.
“We are in need of contact information for these residents and need to know if you require any assistance while we work to gain containment of this wildfire,” Clay County Emergency Management posted on Facebook.
The non-emergency line for Clay County Dispatch is 828-389-2256.
Haoe Fire in Graham County
The U.S. Forest Service announced portions of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness are closed due to a wildfire.
The Haoe Fire in Graham County is now 20 acres. (2126x1647, AR: 1.2908318154219793)
The Haoe fire started on April 12 and was caused by a lightning strike and is now over 1,000 acres and zero percent contained. The fire is about seven miles west of Robbinsville in Graham County and two miles west of Lake Santeetlah. The fire is in the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest.
On April 17, the fire was 800 acres.
“Visitor and employee safety are the highest priorities for the Forest Service, so the public should stay out of this area while fire crews work to contain the blaze,” the Forest Service said in a press release.
There were 50 personnel assisting with the firefighting efforts including crews from U.S. Forest Service - Cherokee National Forest on April 17. Now 84 people are working on the blaze.
On April 15, the fire was 120 acres and about two miles from the Joyce-Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail and separated by several “natural features, including the Little Santeetlah Creek drainage,” according to the Forest Service.
On Wednesday, the fire spread onto the Joyce-Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail. The trail is now closed.
The following trails are closed:
- Stratton Bald- TR 54
- Haoe Lead- TR 53
- Wolf Laurel- TR 57
- Strawberry Knob- TR 217 H
- Naked Ground- TR 55
- Hangover Lead- TR 56
- Jenkins Meadow- TR 56
- Slickrock Creek- TR 42
- Joyce-Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail