Multiple departments respond to brush fire in Plumtree Creek area

CROSSNORE — Area fire departments worked for hours on Wednesday evening, Nov. 23, into the early morning of Thursday, Nov. 24, to put out a brush fire on Big Plumtree Creek Road.

Authorities received a call about the fire just after 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The fire was burning across the ridge line in the middle of Big Plumtree Creek Road, said Avery Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Buchanan.

The fire burned around 15 acres in the Frank and Crossnore fire department districts, Buchanan said. Even with both Frank and Crossnore fire departments responding, as well as at least one firefighter from each department in the county, it took a while to control the fire. Additionally, responders had to trek up a steep incline to get to the fire, making the situation even more complicated. Firefighters were on the scene working until around 4 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, according to Buchanan.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Buchanan advised caution when burning items, as the entire area is experiencing high wind. Even though it rained recently, Buchanan noted that the wind is swift enough to dry everything out, meaning that embers can spread and kindle quickly.