ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A lightning-caused wildfire on Old Fort Mountain was largely contained within hours after crews mounted a rapid response along the Kitsuma Peak Trail, even as firefighters continue battling a much larger blaze nearby.
The blaze, referred to as the Kitsuma Fire, was reported Wednesday afternoon and quickly attacked by firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and local departments. Crews hiked roughly 2 miles into the area near the trailhead to reach the fire, which was burning on national forest land.
Firefighters on the ground coordinated helicopter water drops that helped stop the fire’s forward progress within a couple of hours of the initial smoke report, according to the U.S. Forest Service…