ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Multiple wildfires continued to burn across Western North Carolina on Monday as the region remains in severe drought conditions, increasing fire risk and complicating containment efforts, officials said.
The largest active blaze, the Jumping Branch Fire in McDowell County, had grown to an estimated 175 acres by late Sunday and remained 0 percent contained as of Monday morning, according to McDowell County Emergency Management. The fire is burning between Locust Cove Road and Sugar Cove Road near Marion.
Nearly 200 firefighters, supported by aircraft, worked to contain the fire Sunday. Officials said no structures have been lost, and crews remained on the scene overnight. Firefighters are focusing on protecting homes and property along the North Carolina Highway 80 corridor…