Wildfire impacting tourist destinations in North Carolina mountains
Smoke from a fire on Dobson Knob as seen from Route 221 in this photo taken on Sunday. Image credit: Lisa Jennings, USFS
A wildfire burning in the North Carolina mountains has led to some trail closures and smoke warnings.
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service say a lightning strike is the probable cause of the wildfire burning near some popular tourist destinations.
The fire is located on Dobson Knob in McDowell County, north of Marion and west of the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. It was first reported Friday evening.
While roads remain open, rangers are urging caution for motorists traveling on 221 North. Portions of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail are closed, and communities in North Cove, Woodlawn, and Linville Falls may experience smoke.
Officials say the fire is in a remote area that was heavily damaged in a 2017 wildfire. It’s burning primarily on U.S. Forest Service lands, with just a small portion on privately owned property.
The fire grew to about 8 acres as of Monday morning, when officials say it was 25 percent contained.
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