Despite the sheer magnitude of the fire, which was measured as having one of the highest core temperature’s to flare-up locally in years, not a single firefighter was injured.
“We didn’t even have to give out a single band-aid,” said Ashe County Ranger Tim Lewis.
The tireless efforts of every single volunteer department were highlighted by the state forestry services during Monday’s county commissioners meeting. County Manager Sam Yearick invited county forestry officials to brief the public on the timeline of the fire and how the blaze was unlike any other they’ve ever seen.
Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire on Paul Goodman Road at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20. On that particular day, forestry services officials stood guard at a Readiness Plan of 5, which is the highest stage of alert due to the ongoing drought and low humidity that prevailed locally that weekend. Much of western North Carolina had already found itself in the throes of battling several other similar fires across the state. That same week, another blaze in Blowing Rock scorched the baren earth that had become littered with decaying fall foliage. Wind gusts approaching 50 miles per hour only exacerbated an already dangerous situation that was primed for a powder keg type explosion.
After surveying the unfolding situation, fire fighters divided the blaze into two flanks to better manage the quickly growing inferno that was now threatening other homes near Mulatto Mountain.
“The fire already crested different ridges,” said Lewis as he reflected on he blaze. “We knew we would have to evacuate. Our No. 1 priority was lives. No. 2, we wanted to get organization with other fire fighters for structure protection. After getting everyone evacuated, we moved trucks in to protect structures.”
Lewis noted that evacuations went smoothly mostly because they didn’t have to tell anyone to leave the mountain as the impeding danger of the blaze was not lost upon those residents that crested the hilltops.
Assistant County Ranger Anthony Farmer said a scout plan was also utilized for six to seven hours the next day before conditions were deemed unsafe to continue.
When fires like this break out, one of the first tasks burdening firefighters is the establishment of lines that prevent the fire from further spreading. With the Two-Mile Fire, crews allowed the fire to “back down” to Jones Ranch Road and subsequent burnouts where held, said Farmer.
While wildfires are not that uncommon in heavily forested areas, especially in dry conditions, but there was something eerily ominous and disturbing about this fire, said forestry officials.
“I’ve never seen anything this erratic in hardwood,” said Lewis. “It was a really, really hot fire for this area,” said Lewis, who noted the fire was likely 30-years in the making due to the changing interface of the area and growing housing density.
The fire was fully contained by the following Monday.
“We were very blessed not to have any injuries,” said Lewis.
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