The area had a record low rainfall this October. The 10,900-acre Linville Gorge Wilderness, in the western portion of the state's Burke County, is a major landmark to Southeasterners, said Miller. It's like Half-Dome or Old Faithful to them. See Sheer Beauty for a complete description of the Linville Gorge. The first fire broke out Saturday on the west side of the gorge and spread to 4,000 acres, jumping an initial fire control line, said fire information officer Bill Paxton.
Firefighters are now pre-burning lines around the fire to stop it from spreading.
The north edge of the fire is not spreading, Miller said. Another fire, on the east side of the gorge, was discovered Wednesday near the Chimney area, a popular rock climbing spot. Both fires, now collectively named the Brushy Ridge Complex fire, forced USFS officials to evacuate an Outward Bound wilderness skills camp Thursday, including several buildings near the wilderness area. There's a lot of backcountry use here. On Wednesday, state officials banned outdoor burning in western North Carolina.