North Carolina

Wildfire in western North Carolina now 50 percent contained

NEBO, N.C. — Firefighters in western North Carolina say a blaze in the Pisgah National Forest is now 50 percent contained.

Forestry officials said in a news release that burnout operations were conducted on the south end of the Wild Creek Fire near Nebo in McDowell County on Wednesday afternoon, in order to help protect some private property.

Officials think the fire was sparked by lightning. It was reported March 16 and has now burned more than four square miles near Shortoff Mountain at the south end of Linville Gorge on the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.

No injuries have been reported.

The burnout operation was conducted to remove fuel for the fire.

More than '150 firefighters have been working to contain the blaze.

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