Horton Fire prompts evacuation, 'boxes in' N.C. firefighters

CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The Horton Fire, one of several wildfires across the southeast United States, has prompted evacuations and "boxed in" firefighters in western North Carolina, a fire official said.

Watauga County Fire Marshall Steve Sudderth said the Horton Fire, which started Monday night, near Horton Branch Creek "boxed in" firefighters who were tasked with maintaining fire lines.

The fire threatened at least 55 homes, High Country Press reported.

"The fire got right up against [some homes] ... We just had to burnout away from them to make sure the fire didn't get up on top of them. We'll be sitting engines on top of them through the night just in case," Sudderth said Tuesday. "It's going pretty good right now. Everybody is doing a real good job."

As of Tuesday evening, the fire grew to up to 800 acres and was 20 percent contained. Sudderth said the fire did not jump any fire lines.

"It's hard to tell right now, but I am guessing the final [acreage] will be about 1,000 acres," Sudderth said. "It seems like a lot ... You just have to find that suitable terrain for [fire lines]. As long as we don't have any high winds, it's looking pretty good."

Sunrise over the #HortonFire. Updates will be shared after operational briefings are held. Stay tuned to https://t.co/tMLU5QZmbM. #NCFire pic.twitter.com/T4DdnEohUH
— HortonFire (@FireHorton) November 23, 2016

Residents on Watson Drive were evacuated. Authorities told other residents along nearby Dugger Firetower Road and Flat Mountain Road to prepare for "imminent mandatory evacuations," Sudderth said.

"No structures lost. Nobody hurt," Sudderth added. "It's been a good day."

The North Carolina Forest Service on Tuesday said there were 11 fires that have burned nearly 70,000 acres in the state being fought by over 2,900 personnel.

"More humid air is expected to build in to the region Thursday as the upper-level disturbance moves east across the Carolinas with a few rain showers," the Forest Service said in a statement. "Winds will be steady out of the west and southwest. Marginally drier air will build in behind this disturbance Friday with winds becoming northwesterly."

In Georgia, the Rock Mountain Fire, which has been blamed on human activity, has grown to 14,757 acres and is 30 percent contained as of about 10 p.m. Tuesday. The fire is expected to spread up to 1 mile, especially north and east, the U.S. government's Incident Information System reports.

The Rough Ridge Fire, the largest in Georgia which has grown to 27,870, is 59 percent contained as of Tuesday morning.