The brush fire on Clint Norris Road in Boone was contained in less four hours. The blaze damaged more than 11 acres.

A neighbor noticed the flames and thick smoke as they returned home and called 911 at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Fire crews from Boone Fire Department, Meat Camp Volunteer Fire Department, Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue and Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department responded to create fire lines to contain the blaze.

The crews use hand tools, shovels, chainsaws and leaf blowers to clear flammable debris from the fire's path. The N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) responded with a dozer from Wilkes County to assist in clearing the fire perimeter.

Firefighters were released from the scene at 3:30 p.m. A total of 11.2 acres were damaged. The property is located on the 500 block of Clint Norris Road, approximately one half mile from N.C. 194.  The land was covered with trees that had been cut down.

The landowner, C. David Wiles, 66, of Wilkesboro, was burning two of the piles of debris when the fire escaped. Wiles did have a burning permit. He was cited for allowing the fire to escape by the NCFS. The fire remained on Wiles' land.

Two homes along the ridge line above the fire were threatened, but crews from MCVFD were stationed below the structures to create a fire line. The fire did not reach the residential area, according to NCFS ranger Rudy Johnson.

Capt. Jimmy Isaacs of Boone Fire led the fire suppression efforts. N.C. Forest Service handled the investigation.

"The fire departments did an excellent job. The cooperation between departments was excellent and the effort was well organized," Johnson said.

The down trees on the land did create a challenge for the firefighters. The trees added fuel creating a hot fire, Johnson said.

Watauga Rescue is on stand-by at the scene. No injuries were reported.

Johnson offered tips for a safe, controlled burn. Landowners should always obtain a permit, create a control line around the burn site, keep a water source nearby and stay with the fire until it is completely extinguished. Johnson recommends wetting the area around the fire site with a water hose prior to burning.