Local

Pilot Mountain fire about 70 percent contained

PILOT MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Officials think they have a fire that has burned near Pilot Mountain about 70 percent contained.

   Officials said Sunday night that the fire has burned about 800 acres.

   Charlie Peek with the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation says firefighters are making progress in containing the blaze.

   The fire started as a planned burn Thursday to get rid of some of the dead wood and underbrush that could feed fires. Officials had planned to burn less than 200 acres, but strong winds pushed the fire down the mountain.

   Peek says officials have burned a perimeter that would limit the fire to about 1,000 acres. He says that seems to be holding so far.

   Officials planned a public meeting Monday night to let residents ask questions about the fire.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.