The Chestnut Knob fire at South Mountains State Park is currently estimated at 5,929 acres with an estimated containment at 30%. Weather conditions this weekend will bring increased winds with gusts that could reach 50 mph. All residents in the affected area are encouraged to make preparations. Residents can find great information on how to prepare by visiting http://www.wildlandfiresg.org/ 262 personnel are at the scene.

Prosecutors with the State announced this week they will pursue the death penalty in the double homicide case against Icey Chennell Gooden and Brian Jerome Robinson. The cases against Gooden and Robinson will proceed as capital murders after they were accused of the deaths of two men in Burke County in September. Gooden, 26, of Morganton, and Robinson, 33, of Connelly Springs, are each charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Spencer Murray and Albert Austin on September 17th. Murray and Austin's bodies were found in the trunk of a burned vehicle. Both Gooden and Robinson are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Foul play is not suspected in a McDowell Boy Scout campfire. The cause of the fire that destroyed the dining hall at Camp Grimes on Vein Mountain Road on Sunday has been ruled undetermined: while investigators say there is no evidence to indicate arson. According to McDowell County Emergency Management, it's unlikely the cause will be determined due to the amount of debris and all the electrical wiring. Fire officials suspect the fire started in the kitchen area. The blaze destroyed the 7,000 square foot building owned by the Mecklenburg chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. The McDowell Sheriff's office, SBI, and US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms assisted Emergency Management in the investigation.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office, Burke County Narcotics Task Force and Morganton Department of Public Safety held a one day warrant roundup on Tuesday, serving 27 warrants on 21 Burke County individuals. 14 people were from Morganton, 4 from Valdese, 2 from Connelly Springs and 1 person from Glen Alpine. The charges include a variety of offenses.