Thick smoke is expected to hang over parts of Avery and Mitchell counties as crews on the ground and in the air work to box in a stubborn brush fire along the county line in western North Carolina. State emergency managers said homes near the fire have been shielded by structure protection efforts while spotter planes loop overhead and additional aircraft wait on standby.
2 of 2: "..biggest thing today is there will be TONS of smoke in the area. @ncforestservice will be doing some controlled back burning to help contain fire. you will see spotter planes in the air, with other aircraft on standby. thankfully all homes are protected.."
— NC Emergency Management (@NCEmergency) April 23, 2026
Where the fire is and how big
Early reports placed the blaze near Beams Hill in Avery County, chewing through steep, heavily forested slopes as local departments and mutual-aid crews moved in. Initial estimates pegged the fire at about 50 acres, and by Wednesday evening the North Carolina Forest Service still listed containment at 0%. U.S. Highway 19E was shut down from the Old Joe Howell Store to the Avery/Mitchell county line at Mayland, and a temporary no-fly zone was established over the area, according to WCCB Charlotte.
Firefighting tactics and updates
State emergency managers said the North Carolina Forest Service is leaning on controlled backburns to help steer the head of the fire into already blackened ground and slow its spread. Spotter planes are circling above to track the fire’s edge, with additional aircraft ready if needed. Ground crews on scene and on standby are concentrating on building and holding containment lines and keeping flames away from homes and other structures. In a follow-up update, the agency reported containment had edged up to around 45% while the exact acreage was still being rechecked. Those operational details came from updates posted by NC Emergency Management.
Road closures and local impacts
The closure on U.S. 19E has disrupted traffic in the corridor, and drivers have been urged to steer clear so engines, tankers and heavy equipment can move without dodging cars. Authorities said nearby residents would receive reverse-911 calls if any protective actions become necessary and reminded people to keep roads open for emergency vehicles, according to WCCB Charlotte.
Smoke and health
All that smoke from the active fire and the planned backburns can push fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) to unhealthy levels, especially for kids, older adults and anyone with heart or lung problems. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends staying indoors when smoke is heavy, running a portable air cleaner if you have one, setting home HVAC systems to recirculate and checking the AirNow fire and smoke map for current readings, according to the EPA. For people who have to be outside in smoky conditions, the CDC/NIOSH notes that properly fitted NIOSH-approved respirators such as N95 or P100 models and limiting hard outdoor work can cut exposure to harmful particles, and that employers should follow established worker-safety guidance where it applies, according to NIOSH/CDC.
Officials urged residents to keep an eye on county emergency channels and verified social media feeds and to follow any reverse-911 instructions that come through. As the situation changes, NC Emergency Management and local responders said they will push out new details. If you encounter heavy smoke, officials advised staying out of downwind areas as much as possible and keeping doors and windows shut until air quality improves, according to NC Emergency Management.
