Updated Friday, March 28: Important Updates on Wildfire Activity in Buncombe County

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Update @ 4:15 p.m. | 3.28.25

• The fire in Garren Creek on Old Fort Road is approximately 85% contained. Please continue to avoid the area so crews can work.
• The Freedom Farm Fire is 100% contained, and all resources are cleared.

Update @ 1:30 p.m. | 3.28.25
The fire in Garren Creek on Old Fort Road is estimated at four acres and is at 50 percent containment. All structures are protected, and no evacuations are required at this time. 

Update  @ 12:30 p.m. | 3.28.25
Crews are responding to a fire on Old Fort Road near Echo Lake in Garren Creek. No estimate is available on size or containment at this time, and the cause is under investigation. More details will be provided as they are available. Please avoid the area.

Update @ 6 p.m. | 3.27.25

As of 5:45 p.m., the Freedom Farm Road wildfire is improving with the fire now at 130 acres, 20% contained, and lines around the entire perimeter. Air support helped with dropping retardant and water in the area, significantly aiding in containment.

Thanks to the hard work of firefighters, crews worked to protect 22 homes by creating defensive fire zones.

Due to containment efforts and protective actions in place, the voluntary evacuation orders have been lifted for the Hayes Cove Road area. Crews will remain on scene to monitor the area.

This was messaged to the impacted area via an IPAWS notification. 

Readiness levels will remain in place until weather conditions improve, reducing potential for wildfire activity. 

There will be visible smoke in the area from this event and other wildfires in the region. 

Residents in the area and throughout the community should continue to be prepared for additional wildfire activity. Stay tuned to local sources for additional information. 

Update @ 1:30 p.m | 3.27.25

Out of an abundance of caution, a voluntary evacuation in the Hayes Cove Road area has been issued. No homes are in immediate danger at this time, however as winds increase and humidity decreases, the voluntary evacuation allows households time to prepare in the event that a mandatory evacuation is issued.

- Fire estimated between 100-120 acres
- Containment lines established with dozers
- Back burning operations in progress
- High winds and low humidity expected in the afternoon

The Public Should Follow These Instructions:

While this guidance is especially important for those in the area of wildfire activity, it is a critical step for all households in Buncombe County to lower the risk for loss of life and property, and to protect first responders.

• Prepare your home if you live near the wood line or in an area where many homes are close to wooded areas. 
• Create a defensive line around your home, at least 30' from your home. Remove all combustibles from this area including, dry vegetation and leaf litter. Do not pile leaf litter or pine straw within this zone- be sure to move leaf litter beyond the distance of 30 ft. from your home.
• Move combustibles (firewood, gas, kerosene, oil) from the immediate areas of your home or decks.
• If you have a heating source outside such as an oil or propane tank, clear anything that will burn away from that tank.
• Clean gutters and remove dead vegetation from your home.
• Be Ready - Be Set - Go Now: Prepare your household now in the event that you must leave suddenly. Plan your evacuation route now. Click here to learn more. 

Sign up for emergency alerts by texting BCAlert to 99411. Please listen to local authorities, make sure your cell phone is charged and that you have emergency alerts enabled on your phone. If you live in the area, please make preparations to evacuate if asked to do so. 

There is no open burning allowed. Cooking fires are allowed, with the following criteria:

• It is contained within a grill or outdoor cooking device
• Attended at all time
• Accompanied by an available means of extinguishment (fire extinguishers, hose, etc.)

Updated 10:30 PM on 3.26.25

As of 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26 there are currently no wildfire evacuation orders in place for Buncombe County. The wildfire currently burning in the Dix Creek Community in Leicester is currently at 70 acres and 0% contained. Crews are on scene and managing the fire lines. 

West Buncombe Fire Department and North Carolina Fire Service have worked with property owners in the area throughout the evening to create defensible lines around structures. As humidity is rising and the winds have died down slightly the fire behavior has decreased. 

With several active wildfires in the area please reference this map, provided by the NC Fire Service, for the most recent information on wildfires in our County.

We know that our community has been through so much. Let's band together and work together to keep each other safe. We urge all residents to remain vigilant and take immediate precautions to protect lives and property.

Key Recommendations: 

• Prevent fires:
  • Farmland burning is not allowed during this ban as it is covered under the state ban. One exception to the burn ban are small cooking and warming fires less than 3 feet in diameter, less than 2 feet in flame height, and 15 feet from a structure and wood line.
  • Due to the critical nature of the wildfires, anyone who violates the burn ban will face monetary fines, criminal charges, and will be prosecuted. You can track updates on wildfire activity and safety measures through the NC Forest Service’s Fire Response System at this link: https://ncfspublic.firesponse.com/ 
  • Prepare your home if you live near the wood line or in an urban interface. Clean all combustibles from areas 25-50 feet away from your home.
  • Don’t store combustibles (firewood, gas, kerosene, oil) against your home or under decks.
  • If you have a heating source outside such as an oil or propane tank, clear anything that will burn away from that tank.
  • Clean leaves, limbs, and other dead vegetation from your home including gutters.
  • Prepare your household now in the event that you must leave suddenly. Plan your evacuation route now.  
• Sign up for emergency alerts by texting BCAlert to 99411.  
• Please listen to local authorities, make sure your cell phone is charged and that you have emergency alerts enabled on your phone. If you live in the area, please make preparations to evacuate if asked to do so.