STOKES COUNTY, N.C. --
Fire crews were back on the scene Thursday of a large wildfire fire that broke out on Sauratown Mountain in Stokes County, scorching at least 100 acres and threatening several homes in the area.
The fire burned 10 acres of land, then quickly moved eastward, burning an additional 10 acres Wednesday evening.
"I started smelling smoke in the house, so I rushed up here and seen the side of the mountain was on fire," said Mark Bowers, who lives in the area where the fire happened.
The fire was less than 100 feet from the closest home, Bowers said.
At one point prior to nightfall, crews thought they had the fire under control, attacking it from the ground as well as water drops from a helicopter.
Fire crews called off their response shortly after dark Wednesday, but spent all day Thursday working to get the fire back under control.
No homes had to be evacuated.
Fire officials did not say what started the blaze.
North Carolina wildfire officials announced Thursday they have banned all outdoor burning and canceled all burning permits because of dry and windy conditions across the state.
The ban took effect at noon Thursday and it will remain in effect until conditions improve.
The Division of Forest Resources said more than 1,800 wildfires have already burned 18,248 acres in 2008.
Send your pictures of the fire here.
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