Emergency crews have been battling a wildfire in Haywood County since Wednesday.
The U.S. Forest Service reports the Hurricane Ridge Fire is burning near Harmon Den, Exit 7 off I-40 on the Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest.
Cathy Dowd with the U.S. Forest service tells News 13 the fire grew to 150 acres over the weekend, with no containment so far.
Officials say 70 firefighters from the US Forest Service and North Carolina Forest Service are at the scene of the fire and more are standing by if needed.
"It is slowly creeping through the underbrush," Allison Richmond, public information officer for Haywood County Emergency Services, wrote in an email to News 13. "Fire and smoke are visible along I-40 near Exit 7. Cold Springs Creek Road is closed."
The US Forest Service has also issued an emergency closure for Brady Road (FSRD #3526).
Officials with the Forest Service say the fire was first reported on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and that smoke could affect travel on Interstate 40. Officials say the fire started near Cold Springs Road east of Interstate 40 and is now burning in the remote Hurricane Creek Drainage.
“The Great Smoky Mountains...that’s what I said when I saw the smoke,” says David Curry.
He’s returning home to South Carolina after a family Thanksgiving gathering in Tennessee.
“This is my first time over this way,” he says.
Crews have been using a helicopter to drop water as weather conditions allowed.
On Sunday, the Forest Service said forecasted rain in the region could result in decreased fire activity.
Dowd says there are about five or six cabins in the fire area and that crews will be conducting a controlled burn on Monday in order to try and protect those cabins. Forest Service officials tell News 13 they believe the fire was “human caused” but do not know exactly how at this point.
Nearby bridge work on Interstate 40 is reducing traffic both ways to one lane, something Curry encountered on his way to Tennessee.
“There was a bunch of start and stopping on 40 and 26,” he says.
"It is important to note that visible smoke in the area is further exacerbating traffic issues on I-40 due to construction," Richmond said.
Curry reports a better situation on 40 for his Monday return trip, though.
“It's going good today with traffic,” he says.
The U.S. Forest Service says forecasted rain on Wednesday may not be a soaking-enough rain to make a big difference.
"The response effort is supported by Haywood County Emergency Management and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT)," the U.S. Forest Service wrote in a press release. "We would especially like to thank the firefighters for their response and sacrifices over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Please be cautious with fire as conditions will remain dry and windy throughout the area over the next several days."
Haywood County Emergency Services urges people NOT to call 911 about the wildfire and to NOT fly any drones over the area.