(WVLT) – Multiple crews responded to two brush fires in Anderson County Saturday.
One fire, called the TIOGA fire, was burning in west Anderson County near New River Highway, officials said. Anderson County dispatch told WVLT News that the fire had moved into Morgan County, later jumping its containment line on Sunday and doubling in size from 199 acres to 500 acres.
“Currently all personnel have left the fire to get rest tonight and will be back on it tomorrow,” an official with the forestry department said. “During the day the fire jumped containment and crews pulled back to use roads as fire breaks. Roads are holding well and the added humidity at night has the fire not moving much allowing crew to get rest and will return tomorrow morning before activity picks up midday.”
Officials said Monday morning that crews would be returning around 8:30 a.m. to reinforce fire lines at the TIOGA fire. The TIOGA fire is 100% contained, as of Monday afternoon.
The second fire, located near Scott Brogan Lane and Andy’s Ridge in East Anderson County, also broke out over the weekend. Campbell County Fire Department and Medford and Briceville Volunteer Fire Department crews responded to that location, according to Nathan Waters with the Tennessee Division of Forestry.
Waters said there were homes at the bottom of the ridge on Scott Broggan Lane, but no evacuations were ordered. Officials with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed there had been no injuries reported and no personal property was damaged.
Officials asked residents to keep the access points and roads clear for emergency vehicles.
“If you live in the area and the fire approaches your property Please call 911 and do not try to fight it,” officials said.
Firefighters will be on scene for a little while longer and hoped to return Tuesday morning to fully contain the fire, according to Kidwell.
“Most of the smoke now is from Forestry back-burning to reduce the fire load,” Anderson County Emergency Management Agency Director Brice Kidwell said.
The Scott Brogan Lane Fire jumped to 210 acres and was 75% contained as of Monday at 10 p.m.
