HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A brush fire that broke out Friday evening along Howard Gap Road was 80% contained by midday Saturday, according to Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette.
Dana Fire Department responded around 6 p.m. Friday to the fire on Howard Gap Road, where crews found a woods fire burning in an area filled with storm debris and downed trees from Helene. The heavy blowdown increased the danger for firefighters and made containment difficult.
The North Carolina Forest Service and several Henderson County fire departments assisted Dana Fire Department as crews worked overnight to control the blaze.
The fire had reached about 8 acres in size by early Saturday morning. At noon, Gillette said the fire was 80% contained.
Howard Gap Road remains closed from Highway 64 to Nix Road and will stay closed as crews continue working in the area. Officials said no homes or other structures were damaged in the fire and the cause remains under investigation.
A statewide burn ban remains in effect across North Carolina. Outdoor burning is prohibited while the ban is in place.