Firefighters say lightning strike sparked wildfire in NC mountains

NEBO, N.C. — Firefighters are making progress on a blaze in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Forestry officials said in a news release that the fire near Nebo in McDowell County is about 30 percent contained.

No injuries have been reported. Officials say no buildings are currently threatened.

Nearly 170 firefighters are working on the fire.

Investigators said it appears a lightning strike on March 16 started the fire.

[Linville Gorge wildfire spreads to 1,300 acres in Burke County]

The White Creek Fire reported last week has now burned nearly three square miles at the south end of the Linville Gorge in the Pisgah National Forest.

Firefighters conducted burnout operations Tuesday to reduce the amount of fuel available for the blaze.

Residents in Burke and Catawba counties have been experiencing smoke from the fire.

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