Mitchell-Avery County -- April 23, 2026: The Beams Hill wildfire, burning near the boundary of Mitchell and Avery counties, remains active this morning. While there is some discrepancy between state and local containment figures, the fire is holding within established perimeters.
Current Status & Containment
Acreage: 70 acres.
Containment: * Avery County Emergency Management: 45% contained (as of 9:55 AM).
NC Forest Service Public Viewer: 45% (Incident #2602006624).
Status: Active.
Cause: A vehicle spark is the suspected cause.
Operations Today
Crews from the NC Forest Service, several Avery and Mitchell county fire departments, and Linville Rescue remain on the scene.
Controlled Backburning: Residents will notice a significant increase in smoke throughout the day as crews conduct strategic backburning to strengthen containment lines.
Aerial Support: Spotter planes are active in the area, with additional aircraft on standby at local airports for water drops if needed.
No-Fly Zone: A temporary flight restriction remains in effect over the fire area to ensure the safety of emergency aircraft.
Travel & Safety Information
Roads:US Highway 19E has been reopened to traffic between the Old Joe Howell Store and the county line.
Caution: Motorists are urged to use extreme caution and keep headlights on due to heavy smoke and the presence of emergency vehicles along the shoulder.
Alerts: Local officials are using Reverse 911 to notify nearby residents if evacuation or further action becomes necessary.
Note: A statewide burn ban remains in effect due to hazardous forest fire conditions. All burning permits have been canceled until further notice.
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