RANGER, NC – The Ranger Volunteer Fire Department, working in concert with state and federal groups, managed to contain a wild fire in the Caney Creek and Hwy. 64 area last weekend.

Before being fully contained, the fire manage to burn across 10 acres, but was contained and ended late Sunday, Oct. 13, evening.

The fire was located in an abandoned subdivision at the end of McClure Road, according to a statement issued by the Ranger Fire Department.

By the time Ranger fire fighters arrived due to reports of dense smoke in the area, roughly three-fourths of an acre was already aflame. With the added wind and dry temperatures, the fire quickly spread to cover a full two acres.

“With the use of Wolf Creek’s six-wheeler, crews were able to get into the dense area,” the statement said.

Additionally, two “Hot Shot” crews from California were quickly called in and were able to assist in getting the fire contained.

By 8:30 p.m., Sunday, roughly 10 acres had burned, but there was no impending structure endangerment in the area.

“The first appeared to have been started by an arcing power box on abandoned property,” the statement said, citing the dryness of the leaves and plants as the reason for the ease at which the fire began.

“Please remember to keep dry leaves and brush cleared away from your home,” the statement concluded. “We want to thank the departments and the crews that were on scene to help keep our community safe.”

Mutual-aid department helping with the fire included crews from the North Carolina Forestry Service and crews from the United State Department of Agriculture Forrest Service.

The statement also included a link to the North Carolina Forest Fire Wise page, which helps homeowners prevent accidental fires. To visit the page, click here.