CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C.
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A forest fire burning in Polk County near Chimney Rock State Park scorched about 170 acres by early Monday afternoon.
The blaze started Saturday near Judes Gap.
David Brown, of the North Carolina Forest Service, said that gusty winds and steep terrain are posing a challenge for the 75 to 80 firefighters who have been working around the clock.
Brown said a fire line has been plowed around the blaze, but there is still a lot of brush between the fire and the fire line. He said by the time the fire is extinguished, about 295 acres will be burned.
Firefighters with the Sunnyview Fire Department were posted at the base of the mountain to protect homes in the area, Brown said. He said there was no immediate threat to the homes.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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