The fire burning near Leicester can be seen throughout Asheville. | Photo via Michael Bell
The wildfires in Western North Carolina have crept their way to Buncombe County, and AVLtoday is sharing need-to-know information as the situation continues to develop.
A combination of factors, including dry conditions, high winds, and leftover storm debris, has increased fire risk in our region. The North Carolina Forest Service issued a statewide burn ban on Friday, March 21, in effect until further notice.
The NCFS’s fire response website has the most up-to-date information on the location and size of active wildfires.
Here’s where things stand with active fires and evacuation orders.
Active fires and evacuation orders
Currently, there is one fire burning in Buncombe County — in the Dix Creek community in Leicester.
As of Thursday afternoon, the fire covers 127 acres, with 20% containment, according to NCFS’s fire tracker. There are no mandatory wildfire evacuation orders in Buncombe County at this time. However, there is a voluntary evacuation order for the Hayes Cove area, according to the Leicester Fire Department.
The Leicester Fire Department is on scene and sharing updates on their Facebook page.
For more on mitigation resources and emergency alerts for the City of Asheville and Buncombe County, click the link below.
Vintage Pop-Up Market | Friday, March 28-Sunday, March 30 | 12-8 p.m. | The Booth Fairy Project | Free | Shop hand-picked vintage pieces in a variety of sizes — your dance moves could score you a discount.
Saturday, March 29
Yoga Cheats | 2-4 p.m. | Asheville Yoga Center | $40 | Learn tips and tricks to accomplishing difficult yoga poses then practice them during an expert-led flow class.
Sunday, March 30
Wine Walk Asheville | 2-5 p.m. | Hideaway | $60+ | Sip your way through downtown, stopping at local businesses all while supporting MANNA FoodBank.
Monday, March 31
Catan Tournament | 6-9 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe | Free | Be strategic and crush the competition at this fun tournament with a range of prizes.
ART-POW! | Monday, March 31-Thursday, April 10 | 3:30-4:45 p.m. | Story Parlor | $5+ | Kids will have the chance to try different forms of art during two weeks of affordable classes.
Tuesday, April 1
Read to a Dog: Flora the Golden Retriever | 5 p.m. | East Asheville Public Library | Free | Bring the kids and have them practice their reading skills with one of the best listeners in the city: a goldie named Flora.
Wicked Weed Brewing announced it is investing $1 million into its Asheville operations. The investment increases and enhances their overall production abilities, and the owners hope it shows their commitment to growing local business.
Watch
In case you missed it... The crew from “Good Morning America” took over Highland Brewing’s event space during yesterday’s live taping of, “Asheville Rising.” Relive the moment on AVLtoday’s Instagram.
Try This
Happy 20 years of boozy business, Pisgah Brewing. The local brewery is throwing a birthday bash on Saturday, April 19 with live music from Spafford, a yacht rock band from Arizona, and New Dawn Starkestra, a local fusion rock outfit.
Read
Did you know your backyard is full of edible plants? The hard part is knowing which ones are safe. That’s where this new, locally written book comes in: “The National Geographic Backyard Guide to Wild Edible Plants.” It will be available online and in stores on Tuesday, April 8.
Trending
Asheville and other parts of Western North Carolina were featured in The Garden and Gun’s bucket list for the south. The article encouraged tourists to visit AVL so they can see all the hard work local business owners have put in to reopen after Tropical Storm Helene.
City
Asheville Police are getting new updates to its Real Time Intelligence Center. The department plans to add a new video wall in addition to the existing surveillance features of the facility. In total, the new tech + other office supplies are roughly $72,000. (Blue Ridge Public Radio)
Biz
Calling all business owners. For a limited time, we’re offering 15% off your first advertising purchase on our self-service ad portal. No long-term contract required — simply use the code NEW15 at checkout to redeem the discount.
The opposite of sticker shock? Going’s free travel membership, which alerts you when flights leaving your airport are 40-90% off. You’re welcome.*
Job
Your business’s hiring ad could be here reaching thousands of our daily readers. Ready to find your ideal candidate? Post your first listing on our community job board for free + level it up with a Featured Job Post.
Category
Arts
🗯️ Crafty conversations
The Center for Craft is at 67 Broadway St. in downtown Asheville. | Photo by Gabe Swinney
What do Tan France (“Queer Eye”) and Katherine Gray (“Blown Away”) have in common? They’ll both be helping raise money for Center for Craft, an AVL-based nonprofit.
These two celebrities will be on center stage and in discussion for Craft Watch, a virtual event with all funds directly supporting Helene recovery efforts by Center of Craft. It takes place on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25 per person.
France and Gray’s conversation will be focused on the present day and future of crafting. Plus, it will be moderated by Deborah Needleman, former editor-in-chief of “The New York Times Style Magazine” and “Wall Street Journal.”
Note: Any tickets from the rescheduled date in October 2024 will be accepted.
The Buy
The Buy
Don’t miss these Lightning Deals that are available today only as part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale:
In unpredictable times like these, we want to say thanks for reading the newsletter. It can be hard to find time and we appreciate you squeezing us in. Stay safe and take care, AVL.
