Marion woman charged in connection to McDowell County wildfire

MCDOWELL COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Marion woman has been charged in connection to a wildfire currently burning in McDowell County, according to the NC Forest Service.

Authorities say 38-year-old Hilary Brooke Inman, of Marion, was cited and charged under North Carolina law for starting a fire on grassland, brushland or woodland without properly extinguishing it. The fire was determined to have been caused by improperly discarded smoking material.

The Jumping Branch Fire, first reported Sunday, has grown to 185 acres and was 20% contained as of Tuesday morning.

The fire is burning about eight miles northwest of Marion in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. Officials say 173 personnel are currently assigned to the fire.

Firefighters continue working to increase containment, using both ground crews and aerial support. Crews are conducting strategic firing operations to remove unburned fuels and slow the fire’s spread, with aircraft assisting through water or fire retardant drops.

Smoke from the fire may be visible in nearby communities, including Buck Creek and Marion. Officials say the fire is burning in an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, where downed trees are contributing to increased fire intensity.

Multiple agencies are involved in the response, including the U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County Emergency Management, and local fire departments.

Meanwhile, crews continue to monitor the nearby Poplar Fire, which is 90% contained.