Rescues staged after drivers ignore barricades to see mountain snow, NC cops say

For the second time in days, a driver ignored barricades in Pisgah National Forest and got stranded in the snow, according to officials in western North Carolina.

The latest incident occurred Tuesday, Feb. 3, when a vehicle “drove around barricades on Old N.C. 105 to access the ice- and snow-covered wilderness area,” Burke County EMS reported in a Facebook post.

“Despite clearly marked barricades, illuminated DOT ‘Road Closed’ signs, and yellow fire tape, individuals continue to ignore the closure — putting themselves and our first responders in danger,” county officials said.

“During this incident, the vehicle slid off the roadway and down an embankment, leaving the occupants stranded. One individual was already experiencing a medical issue prior to driving up the mountain, which was worsened during the rescue and extrication.”

The driver and passengers were pulled to safety, and one was taken to a hospital for “evaluation and treatment,” officials said.

A similar incident happened Jan. 31, when a Land Rover entered the forest and went over an embankment along Forest Service Road 210, Burke County EMS reported. The passengers were rescued, and no injuries were reported.

“Roads are ice covered from two weekends worth of ice and now are snow covered. Even the most adaptable vehicles cannot safely make the tip on the rugged terrain. This includes Old N.C. 105,” Burke County EMS said.

“Should individuals choose to disobey the closure, the U.S. Forest Service is writing tickets. These are federal fines, not state, and you will be required to appear in Federal Court. Please stop placing our rescue teams in unnecessary risks.”

Pisgah National Forest is about a 95-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published February 4, 2026 at 6:14 AM with the headline "Rescues staged after drivers ignore barricades to see mountain snow, NC cops say."