from FRI 12:00 PM MST until FRI 10:00 PM MST, Dripping Springs, Southeast Gila County, Pinal/Superstition Mountains, San Carlos, Mazatzal Mountains, Tonto Basin, Superior, Globe/Miami

from FRI 6:00 AM MST until FRI 6:00 PM MST, Sonoran Desert Natl Monument, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Central Phoenix, Fountain Hills/East Mesa, South Mountain/Ahwatukee, Northwest Pinal County, Cave Creek/New River, West Pinal County, Southeast Valley/Queen Creek, East Valley, New River Mesa, Gila Bend, Aguila Valley, Northwest Valley, Tonopah Desert, Buckeye/Avondale, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley, Rio Verde/Salt River, North Phoenix/Glendale, Deer Valley

from SAT 11:00 PM MST until MON 5:00 AM MST, North Phoenix/Glendale, Aguila Valley, Tonopah Desert, Gila Bend, East Valley, Northwest Pinal County, Northwest Valley, Southeast Valley/Queen Creek, Deer Valley, Fountain Hills/East Mesa, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Buckeye/Avondale, Rio Verde/Salt River, South Mountain/Ahwatukee, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley, New River Mesa, Sonoran Desert Natl Monument, West Pinal County, Cave Creek/New River, Central Phoenix, Yavapai County Mountains, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Western Mogollon Rim, Coconino Plateau, Yavapai County Valleys and Basins, Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons, Grand Canyon Country, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Marble and Glen Canyons, Northern Gila County, White Mountains, Kaibab Plateau, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, Southeast Pinal County including Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail, Tohono O'odham Nation including Sells, Baboquivari Mountains including Kitt Peak, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains including Mount Graham, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains including Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties including Hannagan Meadow, South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales

from SUN 12:00 AM MDT until MON 5:00 AM MST, Chinle Valley, Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Black Mesa Area, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward

from FRI 10:00 AM MST until FRI 10:00 PM MST, Yavapai County Mountains, Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons, Northern Gila County, Yavapai County Valleys and Basins

Explosion, fire at illegal North Carolina distillery leads to arrest

By Chris Williams

Published October 29, 2026 11:14 AM MST

Published October 29, 2026 11:14 AM MST

article

Authorities investigate the scene of an explosion and fire at an illegal liquor distillery in Wilkes County, North Carolina. (Credit: North Carolina’s Alcohol Law Enforcement Division)

WILKES COUNTY, N.C. - A 69-year-old man was arrested after an explosion and fire at an illegal liquor distillery in Wilkes County, North Carolina, officials said.

The backstory:

North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement special agents investigated the incident Monday, Oct. 26, after being contacted by the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office, the Wilkes County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Dig deeper:

The fire was caused by an active operation producing non-taxpaid liquor, according to ALE.

RELATED: Two-time ‘Jeopardy!’ champion arrested on child porn charges while on probation: officials

Agents discovered a 200-gallon illegal distillery and seized approximately 1,800 gallons of mash and 161 gallons of moonshine, officials said.

Billy Ray Anderson of North Wilkesboro was arrested and charged with manufacturing, possessing for sale and possessing non-taxpaid alcoholic beverages. He also faces charges of possessing distillery equipment, possessing distillery ingredients and allowing property to be used to manufacture non-taxpaid alcohol.

ALE said its special agents investigate illegal distilleries and the distribution of unregulated alcoholic beverages across North Carolina, citing public safety concerns related to hazardous manufacturing practices.

The Source: The information came from a news release issued by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division. This story was reported from Los Angeles.

Crime and Public Safety North Carolina News