NorthCarolinaForestService

U.S. Forest Service firefighters Heath Emmons, Ben Limes and Forrest Koontz examine the remnants of a brush fire that started Sunday in Lake Santeetlah. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Arson suspected in house fire

Marshall McClung

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Snowbird – A house fire in the Little Snowbird section of Graham County appears to have been started by an arsonist.The fire was reported to Graham County 911 around 7:30 p.m., Monday.

Members of Graham County Fire and Rescue unload a side-by-side to aid in a rescue operation at Stecoah Gap on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Fire, rescue, forestry, EMS kept busy

Marshall McClung

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

The last week has been busy for emergency personnel.Many of the calls for Graham County Fire and Rescue personnel could have been prevented, as the calls involved people ignoring the burn ban – despite extreme fire danger and a persistent drought.

This vacant home at 3744 Santeetlah Road burned Friday, igniting nearby woods and burning two acres of tribal land. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Empty home ignites, fire spreads to woods

Marshall McClung

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Santeetlah – Local firefighters were kept busy throughout Friday, battling a house fire and brush fire at the same time.

Graham County is 1-of-15 across North Carolina currently experiencing an “extreme” drought, as shown by this map released last week. Map courtesy of North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council

Statewide burn ban still in effect

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Despite areas of North Carolina receiving steady rainfall last week, the statewide burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest Service is still in effect. Hazardous conditions inside forests around the state forced the ban to be enacted March 28, according to a press release from the N.C. Forest Service.

Tuesday blazes keep crews busy

Marshall McClung

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Tuesday was predicted to be a high fire-danger day – and it was, as firefighters were kept busy most of the afternoon and evening. Graham County Fire and Rescue, N.C. Forest Service and U.S.

Firefighters battle a blaze off Dick Branch Road on March 5. Photo courtesy of Jade Teasdale/N.C. Forest Service

Brush fires keep personnel busy

Marshall McClung

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Snowbird – Firefighters with Graham County Fire and Rescue – including the Snowbird unit – as well as both the N.C. and U.S. Forest services – responded to a brush fire around 4:30 p.m., March 5, on Dick Branch Road, in the Snowbird section of Graham County. N.C.

The home of Jim and Lela Hyde erupted in flames Feb. 12. Firefighters were unable to save the residence. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Home lost to morning blaze

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Atoah – The Graham County 911 Center received a report of a structure fire at 285 Atoah Circle at 10:41 a.m., Feb. 12. Members from Graham County Fire and Rescue – as well as units from Snowbird, Santeetlah, Meadow Branch, N.C. Forest Service and EMS – all responded to the scene.

Crews battle two fires

Marshall McClung

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Even though it is weeks until the usual start of the autumn fire season – and rain has fallen steadily – local crews were dispatched to a pair of separate outbreaks during the last week. Graham County Fire and Rescue – including a Meadow Branch unit – responded to a small brush fire around 1:20 p.

Unattended campfire spreads into woods

Marshall McClung

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Milltown – Despite recent rains and a rapid greening of woodlands, the spring fire season is still with us at least for a while. Local firefighters with Graham County Fire and Rescue – as well as the N.C. and U.S. Forest services – responded to a small brush fire around 5:10 p.m., April 30.

After the fire

Marshall McClung

Friday, May 2, 2025

Graham County has experienced one of its busiest spring fire seasons this year, as firefighters were constantly busy with brush fires in March and April – with several of those threatening structures.