Part of Crowders Mountain park to reopen in NC as firefighters assess wildfire damage

Multiple wildfires are posing a threat along roads around Crowders Mountain State Park, 32 miles west of Charlotte, according to first responders.

The fire had burned about 730-acres in the park as of 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, but did not damage any structures in the area, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.

Crowder’s Mountain Fire and Rescue cautioned people to avoid the park throughout the day, according to a Facebnook post.

“There are many roadside fires in the area as result of crews back burning to help contain this fire. ... Please do not come to the area to sight see. Crews do not need the extra congestion.”

The park announced early Monday that it was closed due to the fire and staff are “assessing conditions.”

By late Monday, the park said on its website that the Linwood and Boulders accesses would reopen Tuesday, Dec. 10.

But the Sparrow Springs access and campsites remain closed as park staff assess the situation.

N.C. Forest Service officials report the blaze was 92% contained as of midday Monday, despite challenging conditions that included steep terrain. “Precipitation did fall over the fire area, helping efforts,” state officials said. “Personnel will continue to patrol and monitor the fire through today’s operational period.”

No homes or other structures are considered endangered by the fire, officials said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. It was not the result of “a controlled burn that got out of hand,” the fire department said.

“This fire was an uncontrolled fire that was fought using methods called back burning. Basically setting controlled fires to fight uncontrolled fires.”

Fire department vehicles should be expected along roads in the area, creating obstacles for traffic, the department warned.

Crowders Mountain State Park is known for hosting two mountain peaks, along with “challenging hikes and towering cliffs,” the N.C. Division of Parks says.

This story was originally published December 9, 2024 at 5:47 AM.