WATAUGA COUNTY, NC (November 23, 2016 – 2pm)…As of 2:00 PM 11/23/16 the Horton Fire is 65% contained and approximately 900 acres. 125 emergency response personnel from 26 agencies are actively responding. Fire crews have responded from as far away as New Jersey, Arizona, and Florida. Incident Commander Brent Triplett said, “It’s a very tough thing for first responders to be away from their homes and families around Thanksgiving, but our firefighters are a dedicated group of folks. We all just try to encourage each other as much as we can.”
The firefighting priorities are focused on protecting homes within and near the fire area. No structures have been burned and debris removal and burnout operations continue around homes. Burnout operations are being supported by multiple air resources. Two 800 gallon Single Engine Air Tankers along with a helicopter are supporting crews on the ground.
Weather conditions continue to be favorable for fire operations. If operations continue successfully full containment may be reached by Friday.
The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office is patrolling the fire perimeter. Members of the public who do not live in the area are asked to avoid the area.
A smoke exposure public health advisory has been released and will be published at hortonfire.blogspot.com.
A great thank you to the Watauga County community for stepping up to provide donations for the firefighters. No additional donations are needed. The community is encouraged to donate to the Red Cross.
Here is a link to a audio recording of today’s 2pm (11-23-2016) news briefing:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzp5ZUKWhxHnM2lFRnZNSDdSS0k/view?usp=sharing
There are no additional media briefings scheduled for 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 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
p>