A wildfire burning between the Todd and Meat Camp communities in Watauga County had charred 35 acres and remained at zero percent containment shortly before 8 a.m. Monday, according to a state wildfire map. Firefighters and a bulldozer unit were called in to fight the flames, and rescue officials urged people to steer clear of the area while crews work.
The blaze, known as the Peaceful Acres Fire, broke out along Highway 194 near Peaceful Acres Drive, according to wbtv.com. The same state map that tracked the fire's size and containment status also showed it listed among active fires being monitored by officials. It was not immediately clear how the fire started, and there was no immediate word on whether anyone had been hurt or whether any structures were threatened or damaged, per that outlet's report.
The WCNC reports that the call came from the 8000 block of Highway 194. Firefighters and a bulldozer unit were called in, and drivers were urged to avoid the area.
What Remains Unknown
WCNC reported that the fire threatened about 10 structures, according to Watauga County EMS, and that no evacuations were made. The cause of the fire also had not been identified as of that report.
A Pattern of Dry-Ground Fires in Watauga County
The Peaceful Acres Fire is not the only recent blaze to hit the area. A brush fire in Bethel burned roughly 1.5 acres, with Watauga County Assistant Forest Ranger Caleb Winkler telling the Watauga Democrat that it started from burning brush that escaped, adding that the ground was very dry at the time. A separate fire along Meat Camp Road, near the NC 194 intersection not far from where the Peaceful Acres Fire is now burning, was eventually brought under control after charring 2.5 acres.
Crews contained that Meat Camp Road fire in roughly two hours, according to Watauga Online, though it caused traffic to be detoured and turned around in the area while the effort was underway. It remains to be seen how long containment efforts on the Peaceful Acres Fire will take, given that it had reached zero percent containment as of Monday morning's snapshot.
For now, officials are focused on keeping roads clear for responders rather than offering a timeline. People were asked to avoid the area while firefighters and a bulldozer unit responded.
