"This fire is notable for its rapid containment—achieving 100% containment on the same day it was reported—despite burning a substantial 420 acres. The minimal fire behavior and limited personnel involvement highlight effective firefighting response."
The Jumping Branch wildfire, located 4 miles northwest of Marion in McDowell County, North Carolina, was discovered on March 29, 2026. As of the latest update on September 17, 2026, the fire has burned 420 acres and is 100% contained, with minimal fire behavior reported. The incident remains active but has been fully contained, and the cause is still undetermined. The jurisdictional agency is not listed, and only two personnel were involved in the containment effort. The estimated cost to date is $420,000.
Official source description: 4 Miles NW from Marion, NC
Minimal
No immediate evacuation or fire danger is reported; standard wildfire safety precautions remain advised for the surrounding area.
IRWIN ID: {071420E7-D578-45AD-9A4A-9BCFB0AECA3F}
Discovered: Mar 29, 2026
Cause: Undetermined (remarks required)
Est. Cost to Date: $420,000
Coordinates: 35.7317, -82.1318
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in NC.
The Jumping Branch Fire has burned 420 acres as of September 17, 2026.
Yes, the Jumping Branch Fire is fully contained (100%).
The official cause has been listed as: Undetermined (remarks required).
The Jumping Branch Fire is burning in McDowell, NC.
Yes, as of the latest official update, the Jumping Branch Fire remains active.
Real-time map, acreage, and containment for every major U.S. wildfire, updated from official NIFC data.
View Live Map →