CROWDERS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — A wildfire that scorched hundreds of acres of land in Crowders Mountain met its match with the efforts of local firefighters and a little help from Monday morning’s rain.
The fire started Sunday morning near Pinnacle Trail. It’s not clear yet what started the fire, but it was uncontrolled for several hours.
Crowders Mountain Fire and Rescue told Channel 9 that the fire was mostly contained as of Monday morning. Just before 7 a.m., the North Carolina Forest Service said the fire was 100 percent contained after burning just about 650 acres of land.
The forest service said no one was reported to be hurt in the fire, and no buildings were damaged. No evacuations are in place.
Before Monday’s rain, fire crews used several methods to control and extinguish the fire. One of those methods was back burning, when controlled fires are set to help firefighters contain the one that’s out of control.
One neighbor told Channel 9 what he saw Sunday evening.
“The condition is the biggest thing, I don’t know how much response they’ve got on it, what departments are being called in, what resources?” said Lucious Kitchin. “I’m sure they’re doing all that they should and could do, but stuff like this, you do not know.”
People are being asked to stay away from the area while firefighters do their job.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. In the meantime, there may be burning stump holes and lingering smoke in the area until the fire is completely extinguished.
We’ll update this story when more details are available.
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