AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — A wildfire in the Pisgah National Forest in Avery County has burned an estimated 1,000 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service in North Carolina.
Twenty firefighters from the U.S. and North Carolina fire services are responding to the Lost Cove Fire near Bee Mountain that was first reported on Christmas Eve. Collettsville and Linville fire departments are also assisting with the response.
As of Wednesday morning, crews said the blaze was 60% contained.
The fire is in a remote part of the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area, 10 miles southeast of Linville.
According to the forest service, firefighters spent Christmas Day constructing fire lines to protect homes along Roseboro Road. Helicopters dropped water to reduce the blaze near the fire lines.
Officials said some light rainfall and higher humidity Sunday helped firefighting efforts. As a result, crews completed the fire line by Monday along the northwest side to protect private property. On Wednesday, firefighters patrolled and monitored the fire perimeter. Some light rain fell on the fire area overnight, and additional rainfall was forecasted for later in the day. The outlook of firefighting operations beyond Wednesday will depend on if enough rainfall occurs to fully extinguish the flames.
Trail closures are in place as firefighters respond to the Lost Cove Fire burning in the Wilson Creek area on the...
Posted by U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina on Sunday, December 26, 2021
Officials said the fire is expected to grow in the containment area until significant rainfall can help them fight the fire.
With the focus on the northwest end, the forest service said the fire is expected to continue to burn on the south and east ends into the Lost Cove area along Timber Ridge.
Several trails in the area were closed: Huntfish Falls Trail (TR #263), Darkside Cliffs Trail (TR #272), Lost Cove Loop Trail (TR #262) and the Timber Ridge Trail (TR #261), including the sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail that follow Gragg Prong between Roseboro and Pineola roads.
The public is asked to avoid the area until the fire is contained. The forest service also asked everyone to remain cautious with fire as conditions are unseasonably warm and dry.
The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation, but the forest service said it is suspected to have been human-caused.
This is a developing story. Check wsoctv.com for updates.
(WATCH BELOW: Tips to avoid accidentally setting a wildfire)
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