According to the most recent update from the U.S. Forest Service, the forest fire near Poplar has affected 370 acres of forest along the Tennessee border.
As of Monday, the Poplar Fire was 90 percent contained. However, at the time, the Forest Service anticipated gaining enough control over the fire that it would be able to stop issuing daily updates.
The fire began burning over a week ago, and was first reported on March 23. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A number of forest fires are currently burning in Western North Carolina. According to a recent statement for the Mitchell County Fire Marshal’s Office/Emergency Management, smoke in Grassy Creek and Spruce Pine is caused by ongoing wildfires in McDowell County.
With ongoing dry conditions, both Mitchell County Fire Marshal Andrew Brewer and state authorities announced a burn ban on Saturday. The N.C. Forest Service’s burn ban is statewide.
“Keeping the citizens of Mitchell County safe is the primary goal of the Mitchell County Fire Marshal’s Office,” Brewer said. “Atmospheric conditions as well as the lack of substantial rainfall in the foreseeable future makes open burning an extreme hazard for all our communities.”
The burn ban forbids all open, outdoor burning.
“Open burning includes, but is not limited to, brush piles, debris piles, bonfires, recreational fires, and outdoor fixed and portable fireplaces,” Brewer said in his announcement. “This Burn Ban will remain in effect until rescinded by the Mitchell County Fire Marshal.”
As of Monday, the Jumping Branch Fire in neighboring McDowell County was 0 percent contained. The Jumping Branch Fire was first reported on Saturday, and is located some eight miles northwest of Marion.