Firefighters battle blaze in northern McDowell County

A helicopter is being used to drop water on the fire off Armstrong Creek Road.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:51pm

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Firefighters from multiple departments are on the scene of a wildfire in the Turkey Cove community of McDowell County, North Carolina. The fire has burned 10 acres so far, and a helicopter is being used to perform water drops on the blaze.

Why it matters

Wildfires pose a serious threat to local communities, especially in rural areas, and can quickly spread and cause extensive damage if not contained. This incident highlights the importance of coordinated emergency response efforts to protect public safety.

The details

The fire is located off Armstrong Creek Road in the Turkey Cove community. Agencies on scene include Woodlawn Fire Department, Pleasant Gardens Fire Department, Ashford/North Cove Fire Department, Marion Fire Department, Hankins/North Fork Fire Department, McDowell County Emergency Management, McDowell EMS, North Carolina Forest Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

  • As of the afternoon of Saturday, March 28, firefighters are on the scene.
  • The N.C. Forest Service reports the fire has burned 10 acres so far, as of 3:45 p.m. Saturday.

The players

Woodlawn Fire Department

One of the fire departments responding to the blaze in McDowell County.

North Carolina Forest Service

The state agency assisting in the firefighting efforts.

U.S. Forest Service

The federal agency also involved in the response to the wildfire.

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What’s next

Firefighters will continue to battle the blaze and work to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of preparedness and coordinated emergency response to address the growing threat of wildfires, especially in rural areas that can be difficult to access and contain.