LEICESTER, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Fire crews from multiple agencies are battling a wildfire burning in the Leicester area after a barn fire spread into nearby woods, officials said Wednesday.

The North Carolina Forest Service said the fire had burned about 8 acres as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, and was 50 percent contained.

The fire is located off Carsons Trail, a small road off Hookers Gap Road. Reports in a local Leicester Facebook group first described the incident as a barn fire, a location later confirmed by Forest Service coordinates.

The Asheville Fire Department said it is providing mutual aid on the incident. The barn fire has been brought under control, but the wildland fire remains uncontrolled. The North Carolina Forest Service is managing the wildland portion of the response.

More fire trucks were seen heading toward the area throughout the afternoon.

The Leicester Fire Department said crews are actively working to control what it described as a large brush fire off Hookers Gap Road. No evacuations are needed at this time, officials said.

Fire officials are asking the public to avoid the area and reminded drivers not to drive over fire hoses if they are in the roadway. Motorists are also urged to move over to allow emergency personnel access to the scene.

Officials said updates may be limited because of poor cell phone reception in the area.

This is a developing story.

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