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.
By Thursday morning, the fire had burned about 1 acre and was estimated to be 60 percent contained. Crews remained on scene working to secure containment lines and extinguish lingering hot spots.
The Black Mountain Fire Department responded on mutual aid and initially found a backing fire measuring about 100 feet by 100 feet near the top of Old Fort Mountain. After confirming the fire posed low potential for spread and was under federal management, local crews were released while federal firefighters continued suppression efforts.
Officials said aircraft will continue flying over the Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest on Wednesday to search for additional lightning-caused fires.
Meanwhile, crews continue to make progress on the Jumping Branch Fire, burning in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest about 8 miles northwest of Marion. The fire, which was first reported March 29 and caused by improperly discarded smoking material on private property, has grown to about 420 acres and is 50 percent contained.