GrahamCountyFireandRescue

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.

Fire and rescue squad receives $29K grant

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Raleigh – Graham County Fire and Rescue was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $28,694.67 from the office of the state fire marshal.  State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said in a May 15 press release that the grant was through the 2025 Volunteer Fire Grant Fund.

Local squad assists in park rescue

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Fontana Dam – Tory Lynnes and Larry Crisp of Graham County Fire and Rescue assisted the Swain County Rescue Squad and National Park Service on a July 20 mission in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Graham County 911 Center received a request from Swain County around 10 p.m.
Justin Waldroup assists Kensie Belk, Bella Eddings and Ella Dockery (from left) with a fire hose demonstration during last week's youth fire and rescue academy. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Justin Waldroup assists Kensie Belk, Bella Eddings and Ella Dockery (from left) with a fire hose demonstration during last week's youth fire and rescue academy. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Youth fire, rescue academy held

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The inaugural Graham County Youth Fire and Rescue Academy in Graham County was held last week.  Assistant Fire and Rescue Chief Troy Grindstaff – who is also the training instructor – was the driving force behind setting up the training.
Members of the Graham County Fire and Rescue Squad work their way back to shore after rescuing James Vollmer following an accident that sent the area dentist into the Cheoah River on May 13. Photos courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Members of the Graham County Fire and Rescue Squad work their way back to shore after rescuing James Vollmer following an accident that sent the area dentist into the Cheoah River on May 13. Photos courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Andrews man rescued from river

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Yellow Creek – Graham County Fire and Rescue members and others were called out to perform a swiftwater rescue on the Cheoah River around 7:45 p.m., on May 13, when 911 dispatchers received word of a car in the water roughly three miles south of Tapoco Lodge on U.S. 129.

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.
Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Injured hiker rescued off Appalachian Trail

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Yellow Creek – For the second time in a span of 2 1/2 weeks, a hiker had to be rescued from the Appalachian Trail in Graham County. Personnel from Graham County Fire and Rescue, Stecoah Fire and Rescue, and U.S. Forest Service responded to a report of an injured hiker around 5:45 p.m., Friday.

Busy day for fire and rescue

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Saturday turned out to be a busy day for Graham County Fire and Rescue – and included personnel from the Snowbird unit, the North Carolina Forest Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.

Fires continue

Marshall McClung
Saturday, March 22, 2025
There was little rest for the weary, as U.S. Forest Service firefighters were atop Graham County’s highest mountain – Big Huckleberry – off the Cherohala Skyway on March 10.  A campfire had escaped into the grassy area and was controlled after burning less than an acre.