Silver Valley fire department fighting major vegetation fire

A truck from thee Fair Grove Fire Department sits at the end of a gravel drive leading into heavy woods where a vegetation fire blazed Sunday afternoon. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci, Davidson Local

A major vegetation fire with flames as high as 20 feet at times broke out around 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon in Silver Valley. The fire initially involved between 10 and 15 acres in the 4000 block of Old Hwy 109.

Reports initially said there were several structures on fire in a pine thicket but later reports indicted there were no injuries and no houses burned. Silver Valley Fire Department was joined by mutual aid from Denton, South Davidson, Healing Springs, South Lexington, Central and Fair Grove departments and a tractor from NC Fire Service was requested to help create a stop trench. Flames reportedly crowned from tree top to tree top, with winds creating an issue and at one point it was noted that flames were jumping natural fire breaks and roads.

Just before 2:30 p.m. emergency dispatchers received a call that a fight had broken out at a property on Regan Road, just around the corner from the fire, so Davidson County Sheriff’s deputies and NC Highway Patrol officers were sent to investigate. During that time, the drone from the Fire Marshal’s Office was grounded as the helicopter from the NC Highway Patrol was called in for a possible search. That scene was determined to be non-threatening so police were able to call off the helicopter and aerial fire support was able to resume. Additional fire support came in from Holly Grove Fire Department and the Fair Grove Ladies’ Auxiliary provided rehab services.

Firefighters made use of UTVs and hand crews in the challenging terrain and as of the time of this writing, officials estimate 35 acres have burned. The fire was not out, but by 4 p.m. some crews were able to clear and the fire was considered under control.