Discover Burke County

05/28/2026

Looking for weekend plans? Burke County has you covered 🎶🌄

This week’s featured event is Farm Fridays at Fonta Flora Brewery at Whippoorwill Farm, plus TGIF Concerts return to downtown Morganton Friday night with Sidecar Honey! 🎸

You’ll also find live music all across the county, exciting events at the Burke County Arts Council, and events happening in Drexel and Valdese this weekend.

Check out the graphics below for the full lineup and start planning your weekend in Burke! 👇

05/28/2026

Did you know is now open for lunch!?! If you have been waiting to try this Morganton gem or maybe you haven't been in a while, take this as a sign to go either for lunch or dinner this week! Open Wednesday through Saturday and with new specials for lunch, there are lots of reasons to make your way there for a taste of Ireland in Burke County

05/27/2026

Beanstalk Journey. Best family zipline in North Carolina. Tree-trekking, skywalking, climbing and more. Ages 4+ welcome!

05/25/2026

The visitor center is closed in observation of Memorial today. We will see you back in the office tomorrow.

05/23/2026

Although it's not the boating weather we were hoping for Memorial Day weekend, we are excited to share that the water is clean and ready to be enjoyed in Lake James and Lake Rhodhiss! Thanks to Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation for doing their weekly swim guides during the summer 🌞.

05/23/2026

05/23/2026

OLD HIGHWAY 105 FIRE UPDATE

Much needed rain fell overnight on the Old Highway 105 Fire, which remains at 12 acres and is now 85% contained. The fire is burning along Old NC Highway 105 in the Linville Gorge area of Pisgah National Forest.

Beginning yesterday, more than ½ inch of rain fell over the fire area. Rain is predicted to continue this evening and over the weekend. Firefighters will continue monitoring the fire and patrolling containment lines. There are remaining areas of heat in the fire’s interior, especially within dry soils that have yet to be soaked by rain. Containment is expected to increase with additional rainfall.

The fire was first reported by trail maintenance workers with Wild South and Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards. Firefighters from the USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, Burke County Emergency Management, McDowell County Emergency Management, and local fire departments worked together to suppress the fire.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Law enforcement officials have ruled out escaped campfire as the cause after failing to find signs of camping or fire pits in the area where the fire started. The fire was burning in an area that was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, where an extensive number of downed trees are contributing to increased wildfire intensity and risk.

Always practice good fire safety. For more information and tips on how to “be fire safe”, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/fire

This will be the final update for the Old Highway 105 Fire unless conditions change.

N.C. Forest Service Wild South Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) Burke County Emergency Services & Emergency Management Office McDowell County 911 / Emergency Management

Photo of fire engines responding to the Old Highway 105 Fire in Pisgah National Forest. Photo Credit: USDA Forest Service

05/22/2026

Updates as of last night for the wildfire on Old Highway 105 in the Gorge. We will continue to share as we know more.

OLD HIGHWAY 105 FIRE UPDATE - THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026

Firefighters made progress on the Old Highway 105 Fire today, increasing containment to 70% and holding the fire size to 12 acres. The fire is burning on the Grandfather Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest, along NC Highway 105 in and near Linville Gorge. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The fire received minimal rainfall overnight, with less than 1/4 inch falling over the fire area. The small amount of rain was not enough to wet the ground or extinguish the remaining flames. Higher humidity has reduced fire behavior today and most of the burning that remains is in larger downed trees and organic soil. More rainfall is needed to fully extinguish the sub-surface fire. Firefighters will continue monitoring and improving firelines.

Firefighters are responding from the USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, Burke County Emergency Management, McDowell County Emergency Management, and local fire departments.

No trail closures are in place at this time. The Linville Gorge Wilderness area remains open.

If traveling in the area, please drive slowly with headlights on and watch for firefighters and equipment working along roadways.
Smoke should be minimal but may be visible from nearby communities and roads. For information about air quality, visit AirNow.gov or download the mobile app.

Media Contact: Lisa Jennings
(828) 337-1359
[email protected]

N.C. Forest Service Burke County Emergency Services & Emergency Management Office McDowell County 911 / Emergency Management

Photo of a burned area in the Old Highway 105 Fire in Pisgah National Forest. Photo Credit: USDA Forest Service

05/21/2026

Right in time for the unofficial start of summer-- we have a new format for our ! Still all the same great info with a new look. Although its looking like this memorial day weekend might be a little soggy there is still plenty of fun to be had! Look forward to seeing you out This Weekend in Burke County.

05/21/2026

We’ve been closely following the Old Highway 105 Fire over the last 24 hours and are incredibly thankful for the firefighters, emergency personnel, and agencies working hard to contain the fire near the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire is currently 12 acres and 60% contained. Crews from the U.S. Forest Service, N.C. Forest Service, Burke and McDowell Emergency Management, and local fire departments remain on site working in difficult terrain impacted by Hurricane Helene. Downed trees and very dry conditions continue to increase wildfire risk throughout the area.

If you are planning to recreate in the Gorge this weekend, please be aware that travel along Old NC Highway 105 is limited, including closures in the Pinnacle area. Visitors are encouraged to avoid the west rim and instead explore areas along the east rim or other parts of Burke County while crews continue suppression efforts. Smoke may still be visible throughout the Gorge and surrounding communities until significant rainfall arrives.

If you are camping or enjoying the outdoors anywhere this weekend, please use extreme caution with campfires and cooking equipment. Even with rain in the forecast, conditions remain very dry. Keep plenty of water nearby and make sure all fires are completely extinguished before leaving them unattended.

Thank you for helping us protect Burke County’s public lands, communities, and first responders. Please continue to give crews space to work safely and avoid affected areas whenever possible.