Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire along Old NC 105 near Linville Gorge, north of Lake James in Burke County. The Paddy's Creek Fire was reported Monday afternoon in the Pisgah National Forest. The fire, near the south end of the Gorge, was estimated Tuesday afternoon at 10 acres. Firefighters worked to construct containment lines and hold the fire during strong winds. No structures are currently threatened. In order to protect public safety, DOT has closed Old NC 105 north of Paddy's Creek Road to the intersection with Forest Service Road 106. Currently FSRD 106 is open, and can be accessed from the north end of Old NC 105. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is suspected to be human caused. The US Forest Service is leading response efforts, with assistance from Burke County REACT, North Cove VFD, and NC Forest Service.The public is encouraged to use extreme caution with outdoor fires as WNC is currently in a severe drought.

One of Burke County's Most Wanted has been apprehended. On Monday, Investigators with the Burke County Narcotics Task Force received an anonymous tip that 44-year-old Eric Sherad Jones was staying at a location in Hickory. Jones, who had been on the Burke County Most Wanted List for 116 weeks, was taken into custody with the assistance of the US Marshals Office and Hickory Police.

A McDowell County man is missing. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating 37-year-old Thomas Brandon Jones of Marion. Jones was last heard from on Wednesday October 19th. He is described as a white male, 5'9", 130 pounds with short brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call 652-2235 or 652-4000.