A wildfire that began Wednesday, Nov. 2 off U.S. 74 in Columbus burned approximately 20 acres in the area of Chocolate Drop Mountain, according to the Columbus Fire Department.

Columbus Fire Chief Bobby Arledge said no structures were threatened and firefighters worked to control the fire with back burning, or building a fire around the perimeter to burn it out.

The cause of the fire is unknown, although officials said they do know the fire began on the side of the interstate at the bottom of Chocolate Drop Mountain. The fire burned almost to the top of the mountain.

All Polk County fire departments responded, including the Columbus, Tryon, Saluda, Mill Spring, Sunny View and Green Creek fire departments, along with the Landrum Fire Department, the N.C. Forest Service, the Polk County Rescue Squad, the Columbus Police Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Department of Transportation and the Polk County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Arledge said most firefighters were released by around 6:30 p.m. The fire started just before 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The N.C. Forest Service checked the scene yesterday, Thursday, Nov. 3.