McDowell County -- March 30, 2026: A Marion woman faces charges for allegedly starting the Jumping Branch Fire in Pisgah National Forest. The fire, reported March 29, 2026, burned near Marion, raising concerns about fire safety, particularly given dry conditions and a statewide burn ban.
What Happened
Hilary Brooke Inman, 38, of Marion, was cited and charged on March 31, 2026, for allegedly starting the Jumping Branch Fire. According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the fire was caused by "improperly discarded smoking material." The charges are in violation of North Carolina General Statute 14-138.1, which prohibits igniting fires on grassland, brushland, or woodland without fully extinguishing them.
The incident occurred amid a statewide burn ban, which went into effect March 28, 2026, due to dry conditions.
Response and Impact
The Jumping Branch Fire was reported in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, approximately 8 miles northwest of Marion, near Locust Cove Road. As of Tuesday morning, March 31, 2026, the fire had spread to 185 acres and was 20% contained.
Response teams included 173 personnel from various agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County Emergency Management, local fire agencies, and volunteer departments from McDowell and nearby counties, all working under unified command.
One storage building on N.C. 80 sustained damage as a result of the fire. No injuries were reported. Smoke was visible in Buck Creek, Marion, and surrounding areas.
Contributing Factors
Authorities have indicated that the fire was human-caused, linked to careless smoking during a period of high fire danger. The presence of trees downed by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024 contributed to the fire's intensity and spread. Firefighters have been using ground efforts on Locust Cove Road and N.C. 80, night operations, and air operations to combat the blaze, including water dips from Lake James and Lake Tahoma.
Drivers have been urged to avoid N.C. 80, and residents near the lakes have been alerted to low-flying aircraft. Suppression efforts are ongoing with additional crews.