Fire in Sampson
community contained
By Melanie Davis
melanie@highcountrymedia.net

A brush fire ravaged three acres in the Sampson community Tuesday afternoon.

The fire began just after 2 p.m. and N.C. Forest Service officials have determined the blaze to be arson.

Five agencies responded to control the fire, which N.C. forest ranger Rudy Johnson described as a dangerous situation under the current drought conditions.

Stuart Simmons Volunteer Fire Department was the first on scene. Assistance was provided by the Blowing Rock Volunteer Fire Department, the Boone Fire Department and the N.C. Forest Service. Watauga Rescue Squad was on scene as a precaution, in case a firefighter was injured while battling the blaze. The rescue squad also provided water and food to the firefighters during the four hours it took them to control the fire.

In total, there were eight fire trucks on the scene and 25 people. No injuries were reported.

Four citizens responded with quick action that held the blaze out of the Flat Mountain Development before firefighters arrived on the scene. The individuals used shovels to throw dirt on the flames, preventing the fire from crossing a wooded road bed at the edge of the three acres of land.

“These citizens put themselves at risk to protect the homes in the area, and their efforts were a great help to firefighters in containing the blaze,” Johnson said.

The identity of the community members is unknown at this time.

“Quick response time and cooperation from all the fire departments involved really paid off,” Johnson said.

A Forest Service dozer and airplane were dispatched to the area. The dozer was canceled, as firefighters were able to control the perimeter and contain the blaze very quickly.

The airplane flew over the fire to radio information from the aerial perspective, alerting firefighters of structures nearby that could be threatened, as well as areas of fire that needed the most attention.

“The most disturbing factor in this fire is that it was set deliberately, in a way that would direct the flames toward the homes in the Flat Mountain Development,” Johnson said.

There have been fires intentionally set in the same area in the past. The last being five years ago.
District N.C. forest ranger Jeff Burns is investigating the arson.