Fast-Moving Wildfire Shuts Down US 19E at Avery-Mitchell Line; Residents on High Alert

Avery-Mitchell County -- April 22, 2026: A fast-moving wildfire ignited early Wednesday afternoon near the Avery-Mitchell county line, prompting emergency evacuations and the immediate closure of a major regional thoroughfare. As of 5:30 PM, the North Carolina Forest Service and local officials report the blaze has grown to at least 50 acres, with extreme weather conditions threatening to push that number significantly higher by nightfall.Road Closures and DetoursThe fire’s proximity to US Highw