Crews Gain Ground on Poplar Fire in Mitchell County

Mitchell County -- March 25, 2026: Firefighting teams continue to make progress against the Poplar Fire, a wildfire burning near the Tennessee state line that has prompted road closures and heightened vigilance in the western North Carolina mountains.As of Wednesday morning, March 25, 2026, the Mitchell County Fire Marshal reported the blaze has consumed approximately 125 acres and is now 40% contained. While local officials provided those figures, the North Carolina Forest Service wildfire map