ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A brush fire that ignited Sunday afternoon off the Blue Ridge Parkway northeast of Asheville has burned about 10 acres and was 40 percent contained as of Monday, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.
Other wildfires were also active in the region, the agency said. A fire near Lower Brush Creek Road was estimated at 28 acres and 90 percent contained, while an 8-acre fire in the Dix Creek area was listed at 90 percent containment. In Haywood County, a 70-acre fire burning along Panther Creek Road was 60 percent contained. A 3-acre fire north of Mars Hill reached 90 percent containment.
The Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office issued an open burning ban effective Monday, citing low humidity and strong, gusty winds that have created extreme fire danger. The ban covers all open burning of yard waste, debris and land-clearing materials. Cooking fires and grills are exempt. The ban will remain in effect until conditions improve and the region receives rainfall.
The ban does not apply to permitted, controlled and attended fires more than 100 feet from a structure. Questions about those permits should be directed to the North Carolina Forest Service (828-667-5211).
Emergency crews continued to respond Monday to the brush fire along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Officials ordered visitors to leave the area between Rattlesnake Lodge and Ox Creek Road on Sunday…