In McDowell County, the Jumping Branch Fire has burned nearly 200 acres and is 20% contained, reportedly started by a discarded cigarette. The fire spread rapidly uphill, damaging homes and causing a portion of Highway 80 to close. Approximately 150 firefighters from the U.S. and North Carolina forest services are combating the blaze, which is in a region already impacted by Hurricane Helene. The U.S. Forest Service is employing water drops and plans to use a controlled burnout operation to manage the fire’s spread. In Wilkes County, another wildfire has improved from 20% to 50% containment, though dry conditions persist.
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