ANDREWS – Firefighters are scaling back as the Collett Ridge Fire is 80 percent contained but still putting out a significant amount of smoke from smoldering hot spots.
The Collett Ridge Fire was subdued by rainy weather, giving firefighters a chance t build up defenses before drier, warmer weather arrives Monday and Tuesday ahead of more predicted rain starting W
For the first time since 2016, Western North Carolina is in the midst of a severe drought coupled with an active fall wildfire season . Research shows.