Firefighters Battle Growing Wildfire Near Morehead

Thursday afternoon the fire in Rowan County was 15 acres.  Forestry officials expect it to grow to 50 acres.  Firefighters worked to contain the fire, preventing it from damaging homes, power lines, and reaching U-S 60. 

Warm Temperatures, low humidity, and dry leaves are ripe conditions for a fire to spread, but the most challenging part of fighting this fire is that it is high up on a steep slope. 

"Which makes it extremely hard for the firefighters to even stand there, much less to dig down to the bare mineral soil," said Evelyn Morgan from the U.S. Forest Service. 

The fire started Tuesday night, threatening about 20 homes.

"It was getting closer.  It was like 400 feet up, or so.  I went around the house taking pictures of everything, and got the deed together.  I was kind of freaked out," said Stephanie Reeves of Moorehead.

The firefighters believe the homes are now safe.  They’re most concerned about keeping the fire away from U-S 60, which would back up traffic. The firefighters also worry about the nearby power lines.  They know where the fire started, but not how. 

"Most likely it’s human caused, and that’s all that I can say, because it is undetermined at this time," said Morgan. 

She says the most likely possibilities are either arson, or a campfire. 

The firefighters hope to have the fire fully contained by the end of the day, but Morgan says it will not be fully controlled and out until significant rain falls.

She urges anybody going camping to take extra safety precautions when making and extinguishing a fire.