WATAUGA COUNTY, NC (November 24, 2016 – 9am)…Over 50 firefighters, law enforcement and emergency response personnel were active on the Horton Fire last night. Priority remained patrolling the fire area and the protection of homes particularly along Dugger Fire Tower Road. The fire is now approximately 1200 acres in size and remains at 65% contained. The fire is expected to grow to 1350-1500 acres within the established containment lines. No homes have been lost in this fire.
Minimal amounts of rain fell in and around the fire area overnight (300ths of an inch by one measurement near The Watauga Medical Center). The precipitation helped keep fire behavior low overnight but challenges continue today. Approximately 125 responders from multiple agencies will continue to work towards full containment of the fire. Fire fighting objectives today are to continue to protect homes in and around the fire and to increase and hold containment lines through the use of active patrols and further burn out operations if weather conditions are favorable.
Incident Commander Brent Triplett said that the fire fighters continue “making good headway in achieving our objectives. This is one of the most interagency teams that I have ever worked with. Teams have come from all over to work together. Thank you to all of the crews working today on Thanksgiving. We are very thankful for the wonderful community support and for the ongoing dedication of all of the responders and particularly to the many volunteer fire fighters how have been vital to this response.”
A Type III Incident Management Team will be arriving this morning to aid in the management of the fire. The IMT will complete transition briefings and then join the Unified Command in completing the objectives of containing and putting out the fire.
Sampson Road remains closed at State View Road. Members of the public who do not live in the area are asked to continue to avoid the area to allow fire response traffic safe access to the fire. The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office is patrolling the fire perimeter.
Three power polls located near Watson Drive and Sampson Road have been burned at the base. Bremco/Blue Ridge Electric utility crews will be working to replace those polls today.
Stay tuned to @FireHorton on twitter and the HortonFire.blogspot.com for any further updates or changes.
Past Horton Wildfire News…
From the Caldwell Journal on Wednesday, November 23, 2016:
Horton Wildfire (near Blowing Rock) Wednesday, November 23, 2016 2pm Update
From the Caldwell Journal on 11-23-2016:
Horton Wildfire (near Blowing Rock) Wednesday, November 23, 2016 8:30am Update
From N.C. Emergency Management on 11-22-2016:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncdps/sets/72157676888623606/with/30377266794/
From the Caldwell Journal on 11-22-2016:
Horton Fire (near Blowing Rock) Update 11/22/16…Photos Included
From WBTV on 11-22-2016:
Watauga wildfire, possibly deliberately set, could grow to 1,000 acres
From the Watauga Democrat on 11-22-2016:
Horton Fire grows to 800 acres, 20% contained…Including Video below