Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

COLUMBUS—Local fire departments were dispatched to a large fire in a wooded area alongside Hwy. 74  just after 5 p.m. on Monday. Crews are currently on the scene working to extinguish hotspots.

The fire was spread along multiple patches over the course of approximately a quarter of a mile near mile marker 161, according to Polk County Fire Marshal Bobby Arledge.

Four separate structures were threatened by the blaze but crews were able to extinguish the fire before it reached them, according to Captain Will Craine with the Columbus Fire Department. No injuries have been reported, and evacuations were not needed.

“All crews were able to quickly arrive on scene and contain the fire before it reached any structures,” said Captain Craine. “We were able to efficiently work together to keep the fire from spreading.”

Polk County is currently facing extreme drought conditions (D3), according to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council.

Columbus Fire Department, Tryon Fire Department, Saluda Fire and Rescue, Sunny View Fire Department, Mill Spring Fire Department, Green Creek Fire Rescue, Landrum Fire Department and Gowensville Fire Department were all on scene, as well as the N.C. Forest Service, Polk EMS and Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

This is a developing story. The Tryon Daily Bulletin will provide updates as more information becomes available.