Pilot Mountain fire 100% contained after burning more than 1,000 acres

Officials say the fire at Pilot Mountain is 100% contained as of Saturday morning.

In a release from the state, the fire is said to have encompassed 1,050 acres and closed Pilot Mountain State Park after starting on Nov. 27. The fire started from a campfire in an undesignated area.

Smoke will still be visible from the mountain from time to time. Firefighters will remove excess hose and equipment over the next few days.

The North Carolina Forest Service Red Incident Management Team will transition the fire back to local resources on Sunday.

On Thursday, Gov. Roy Cooper toured the damage and praised fire crews for their work over the week.

“This park is one of the great state parks in North Carolina and it hurts to see it consumed in fire,” Cooper said.

The state is still under a burn ban with many regions having gone long periods without significant rain. After the driest November in 90 years, fire officials are asking people to be on alert. People are encouraged to avoid fires if possible, and to make absolutely sure you have a charged fire extinguisher, or plenty of water or sand, to extinguish a fire if you do start one.