If you are a firefighter – or have one in the family – you are subject to being awakened at unearthly hours when normal people are fast asleep.
Such was the case Tuesday, Nov. 5, when firefighters rolled out of bed around 5 a.m., to respond to a brush fire in the Atoah Circle area of Graham County. All fires receive a name and the firefighters called this one the “Hoot Owl Fire” – possibly because they and the hoot owls were the only ones out and around at that early hour.
The fire was up a small side road that crosses the dividing ridge between the Atoah and Long Creek communities. A homeowner had burned some brush and leaves the day before. During the night, the wind increased and blew some live embers into the nearby woodland.
Firefighters with both the N.C. and U.S. Forest services – as well as the Graham County Fire Department – responded, and had the fire contained by 2:45 p.m., with the help of a dozer that built a control line around the fire.
The fire burned five acres of private property.
Catch ‘em quick
Firefighters continued responding to brush fires Nov. 7.
A brush fire was reported in the Poplar Hill area of Stecoah just before 2 p.m. A debris fire had escaped and was threatening a small building.
The fire was brought under control after burning less than an acre.
Another brush fire was reported later that day down U.S. 129 North, past the Yellow Creek Road intersection. The fire was burning on U.S. Forest Service land across the Cheoah River from the highway.
This fire was also brought under control after burning less than an acre and was said to be of a “suspicious origin,” though no further details were available at Wednesday’s press deadline.
‘Old Roughy’
After barely catching their breath, crews were handed their biggest battle of the week.
Nicknamed “Old Roughy” because the fire burned part of the same area that the Old Roughy Fire burned in 2016, the blaze started off Gladdens Creek and was reported around 9:15 p.m., Saturday.
Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, N.C. Forest Service, the Graham County Fire Department, a crew of “Hot Shot” firefighters and a dozer were used to combat the fire.
A control line was completed around the fire by 8 a.m., Sunday morning.
The N.C Forest Service placed fire engines near the residences on Blue Duck Road for structure protection, should the fire reach them.
The fire was estimated to have burned 200 acres. Arson is suspected as the cause.