Local
Crews Contain 35-Acre Wildfire in Watauga County; Cause Under Investigation
A 35-acre wildfire near Todd was contained Monday morning after threatening 10 structures, with no evacuations ordered. The North Carolina Forest Service is investigating the cause.
A 35-acre wildfire that broke out early Monday in the mountains of Watauga County has been contained, but crews remained on the scene as a working fire, according to county emergency officials.
The blaze started around 1:30 a.m. along Highway 194 near Peaceful Acres Drive, in the area between the Todd and Meat Camp communities, not far from the Tennessee state line. By just before 8 a.m., the state wildfire map showed the fire at 35 acres, and Watauga County Emergency Services reported it was contained around that time.
County officials said the fire threatened 10 structures but did not require any evacuations. There was no immediate word on whether anyone was hurt or whether any buildings were damaged.
The Watauga County Rescue Squad said firefighters and a bulldozer unit were called in to battle the flames, and asked the public to avoid the area while crews worked.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. The North Carolina Forest Service was investigating.
Wildfires in the region can be especially dangerous in the fall, when dry conditions and fallen leaves can fuel rapid spread. Residents in the Todd and Meat Camp communities are encouraged to stay alert for updates from local emergency officials and to follow any guidance about outdoor burning.