Brush Fire Near Walden Ridge Assisted Living Forces Brief Evacuation

Asheville -- April 17, 2026: A fast-moving brush fire along Hendersonville Road prompted the emergency evacuation of a nearby assisted living facility late Thursday night.Asheville Fire Department (AFD) crews arrived on the scene to find a blaze fueled by sagebrush and bamboo spreading rapidly toward the Walden Ridge facility. As the fire neared the building, officials made the decision to evacuate residents as a safety precaution.Rapid Response and ContainmentFirefighters utilized handlines to