MORGANTON, N.C. (AP) — Forestry officials say an abandoned campfire is the suspected cause of a wildfire in Linville Gorge in Western North Carolina.
The U.S. Forest Service tells news outlets that the Brushy Ridge Fire was reported Sunday afternoon and is in a remote area near the Linville River at the end of the Brushy Ridge Trail on the northeast side of the gorge.
Forest service spokeswoman Lisa Jennings says firefighters hiked into the area on April 27 after the fire was first reported to assess the fire and determine how to put it out.
Jennings said effort to fight the fire is ground-based, but she said air support will be brought in if necessary.
Visitors to Linville Gorge are asked to use caution because firefighters will be using local roads to launch operations.
