MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The McDowell County Emergency Management said crews are battling three wildfires in McDowell County that were first reported on Wednesday.

Officials said the Crooked Creek Fire is located in Old Fort and the Watson Place and North Fork Fires are located in Marion.

Crews stated that gusty winds are pushing the fire making it difficult to control.

As of 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, officials said firefighters remain on scene at both the Crooked Creek Fire and the North Fork Fire.

Crooked Creek Fire

Emergency management initially reported this wildfire as “out of control” and said it was caused by a tree falling on a power line.

As of 6:55 a.m. on Thursday, officials report the fire is 55 percent contained and has burned 250 acres. Crews made significant progress overnight as winds diminished and relative humidity increased leading to lower fire activity.

An evacuation order was lifted at 8 a.m. on Thursday after residents living in the 3000-4500 block of Bat Cave Road, Pine Cove Road, Julia Drive, Roy Moore Road, including all side roads were asked to leave the area.FOX Carolina’s Alexa Erbach is at the scene.

Officials later extended the evacuation recommendation to the 1000 block of Lavender Road and all of Cozy Cove Drive after they said the fire crossed over the roadway due to high winds.

According to emergency management, an emergency shelter was opened at First Baptist Church in Old Fort on East Main Street.

Multiple outbuildings have been destroyed with one home suffering damage. No homes have been destroyed and no injuries or fatalities have occurred.

Watson Place

Officials also report crews are working to contain a fire at 80 Watson Place on US 221 North in Marion.

At this time, there are not any evacuation orders at this time, but the public is asked to avoid the area.

North Fork Fire

At around 4 p.m., officials said another fire was reported in the Good Road area in the Woodlawn Community in Marion.

There are no active evacuation orders for the North Fork Fire at this time.

Fire officials are staged along Good Road and American Thread Road to monitor nearby homes and provide structure protection as needed.

At this time, the cause of the North Fork Fire is unknown.

Officials are recommending residents not to burn anything outside due to high winds.

The Black Mountain Fire Department is helping McDowell County in combating the wildfire.

Story courtesy of WVLT / Fox Carolina)