Brush fire devours 40 acres
By Melanie Davis
melanie@mountaintimes.com

Firefighters from Ashe and Watauga Counties battled a blaze that damaged approximately 40 acres just off Snyder Branch Road near the county line.

The fire was reported at 2:13 p.m. Friday. Meat Camp, Zionville and Todd volunteer fire departments responded, as well as fire departments from Creston and Warrensville in Ashe County. Firefighters remained on scene until 9 p.m.

Two rangers from Elk Knob State Park also responded to help build the fireline to contain the blaze. Crews from the N.C. Forest Service worked throughout the day Saturday to ensure there were no remaining embers.

N.C. Forest Ranger Rudy Johnson was on scene. Johnson said wind was a factor in spreading the fire. The wind caused the flames to go uphill quickly and cross over the mountain top from Snyder Branch Road.

Firefighters used brush trucks to drive into the fire area and build the containment lines.

One minor injury was reported. A volunteer from the Meat Camp fire department was overcome by smoke exposure and heat exhaustion. He was taken out of the area and treated by Watauga County Rescue Squad.

The rescue squad remained on scene until all of the firefighters had cleared the area.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and remains under investigation.

Property-owner information was unavailable as of press time.