Several fire departments and the North Carolina Forest Service responded shortly after noon Monday when a planned burn got out of control.
It happened at 625 Oak Grove Road in Marshall. “It’s real dry right now. I have no idea why they were burning,” Jupiter fire chief Jeff Allman said.
Allman said his department was one of four on the scene. Barnardsville, French Broad and Marshall fire departments, along with the North Carolina Forest Service, also fought to contain the fire to half an acre.
Allman said, at one point, three homes in the area were in jeopardy.
In addition to the dry and windy conditions, there were things on the property that could’ve helped the fire grow quickly, Forest Service officials said.
“With the wide open sun exposure on this powerline right away and on this grass, you have really flashy fuels that can consume very quickly “ forest ranger Tyler Myers said.