Two fires are now burning in western North Carolina's McDowell County, just four months after it was hard-hit by Hurricane Helene.

The wildfire strikes an inland region of North Carolina that is still recovering from the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene in September.

North Carolina officials charged with leading recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene — as well as parts of eastern North Carolina still struggling from previous hurricanes — told state lawmakers this week that they need more money.

The fire broke out on Wednesday in Old Fort, North Carolina, which was one of the North Carolina towns hardest hit by Hurricane Helene when the storm made landfall in September.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein began his first term earlier this month with a behemoth task in front of him: Helping western North Carolina recover from close to $60 billion in damage from Hurricane Helene,

The fire is happening while Western North Carolina is under an increased fire danger warning due to gusty winds, making it more difficult to contain.

President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with homeowners affected by Hurricane Helene in Swannanoa, N.C., Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/, File)

Nighttime drone footage shows a wildfire glowing in neon orange as it burned on a mountainside near Old Fort, North Carolina, on Wednesday,