Many people were forced out of their homes this week after a wildfire broke out in western North Carolina. The first of three fires in McDowell County on Wednesday started in the area of Bat Cave Road in Old Fort.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — 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. And they need it soon.

An air quality alert was issued on Thursday at 3:31 p.m. in effect until Friday at 7:15 a.m. The alert is for Burke Mountains, Greater Burke, McDowell Mountains and Eastern McDowell as well as Yancey and Mitchell counties.

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.

Jan. 24, President Trump Friday vowed to sign a Presidential executive order to get Western North Carolina roads built back faster.

Wednesday marked four months since Hurricane Helene ravaged the western Carolinas - and residents in McDowell County are facing yet another hardship.

President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency during a Friday visit to Helene-ravaged Western North Carolina.

The song in the hills of Appalachia sounds different to every musician, but one thing binds every person who picks up an instrument: playing is like therapy. “There’s only one

Old Fort, North Carolina, US Video Recording Date/Time: January 29, 2025 at 13:45h Three wildfires, Crooked Creek fire, North Fork fire, and Watson Place fire, broke out in McDowell County, Western North Carolina,

The state’s new governor said the troubled relief agency which fumbled hurricane relief in the east wouldn’t go to western NC in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene. But ReBuild has done just that.

Authorities captured a wanted man from Oregon in Western North Carolina. On Monday, the Clayton Police Department and Macon County Sheriff's Office asked residents to be on the lookout for a wanted person, who has ties to the Franklin, North Carolina, and Hiawassee and Carrollton, Georgia, areas.