Last Updated on November 13, 2023 7:36 pm
UPDATE Monday, November 13, 7:35 pm from Andrew Harsey with the North Carolina Forest Service:
Elk Creek Fire remains steady at 225 acres.
Crews are still patrolling and putting out any hot spots they come across. Over the last two days, there have been resources coming in from Washington State, Colorado, and others to assist NCFS across the mountain region and in our local area with this and the other large fires down there.
As of Saturday morning, the Elk Creek fire is 225 acres.
Initial Attack resources were Stewart Simmons, Deep Gap, Zionville, Foscoe, Meat Camp, Boone, Fire Marshals Office, Emergency Management, NC Forest Service totaling 70 personnel, according to Andrew Harsey with the North Carolina Forest Service
50 homes and numerous other structures were threatened, according to Harsey. There are 8 homes within the burned area that were protected and saved. No damage to property or injuries were reported.
Day #2 was resources from USFS Hotshot crew (20 personnel), NC State Parks (20 personnel) NC Wildlife Resources (7) other NC Forest Service resources. Since then these resources have been shared as needed with the other fires in that area.
Multiple departments and agencies, from throughout the county, were among those that responded to a large woods/brush fire in the Triplet community near the Powderhorn development, Wednesday night and through the overnight.
The initial call for the fire came out at approximately 6:35 pm on Wednesday night. It is estimated, currently, to be over 200 acres impacted.
A general shelter was opened by Watauga County Emergency Services and staffed by the American Red Cross due to voluntary evacuation from some residents, due to smoke and precautionary measures they felt were appropriate. The shelter was opened at Deep Gap Fire Department/Community Center and remained open until 5:30 am this morning. The Red Cross is still on stand-by at this time in case the need to reopen the shelter becomes present.
If you have sheltering concerns or needs please feel free to use the non-emergency line: 828-265-7625.
Stewart Simmons Fire, Deep Gap Fire, Boone Fire, Zionville Fire, Foscoe Fire, Watauga Rescue, Meat Camp Fire, Watauga County Emergency Services, and North Carolina Forest Service were among the departments and agencies responding to the scene.
This is an on going situation and WataugaOnline.com will follow up as more information is available.
Videos: Susan Chaney
Photos: Emma Ward/Watauga County Fire Marshal's Office
Photos: Blowing Rock Fire Dept
