Evacuation order issued in mountain community due to ‘out of control’ wildfire

An “out of control” wildfire has prompted an evacuation order for residents in the Crooked Creek community near Bat Cave Road south of Old Fort, according to McDowell County Emergency Management.

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The fire began after a tree fell on a power line and is currently burning in the 3000 block of Bat Cave Road. Residents in the 3000-4500 block of Bat Cave Road, Pine Cove Road, Cherry Springs Road, Roy Moore Road, Julia Drive, the 1000 block of Lavender Road, and Cozy Cove Drive.

The order includes all private drives that turn off the roads listed above.

An emergency shelter has been established at First Baptist Church in Old Fort on East Main Street to accommodate evacuees, ABC affiliate WLOS reported.

Emergency crews are on the scene working to contain the blaze.

As of 6 p.m., the 200-acre fire was 5% contained with no reported injuries. There are no expansions to the evacuation order for the Crooked Creek Fire, officials said.

Western North Carolina is under an increased fire danger warning due to gusty winds, making it more difficult for the fire to contain.

Firefighters are focusing on structure protection for multiple homes are working on establishing fire containment lines.

Officials have closed Bat Cave Road to through traffic and vehicles are being detoured onto Pine Cove Road. Drivers are advised to use caution and seek alternate routes.

Dozens of firefighters from both the N.C. Forest Service and local fire departments scrambled to protect the homes of residents near the fire including Lloyd Davis, who has lived here much of his life.

“This house wouldn’t have been standing if not for the Dysartsville Fire Department and all these other groups,” Davis said. “They’ve done a wonderful job here.”

A viewer shared a video of the fire spreading around several homes three miles south of Old Fort. In the North Carolina mountains, gusts topped 60 mph causing hundreds of outages in Ashe County.

Resident Rellon Walker says he is prepared to evacuate.

“As you see, it’s still boiling and it looks like it’s almost behind that ridge,” Walker said. “I assume the wind is blowing it across the ridge and down the ridge.”

Neighbors gathered in a field near the homes as firefighters headed up the mountainside along Bat Cave Road.

Emily Brooks lives there and her boyfriend is a firefighter.

“I know we have a lot of heroes up in there right now trying to get it under control,” Brooks said.

She said she is proud of her boyfriend.

“Makes me want to tear up I’m so proud of him,” she said. “He’s a lineman too so he got off work to just to fight this fire.”

Marion wildfire

Another wildfire was sparked along 80 Watson Place on Highway 221 North in Marion but there is no evacuation order for that at this time.

Officials said Wednesday to halt any outdoor burning because of the dry, windy conditions.

To receive McDowell County emergency alerts text 28752 to 888777.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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