LOWGAP, N.C. — Brandy Golding has lived in Lowgap for more than 20 years. It's a small community where everyone knows one another. 

"I have never seen something like this up here, ever," Golding said.

She says the fire started on Saturday, and when she learned about it on Facebook, she got in her car and drove around. 

"It had burnt half the mountain," Golding said.

She grabbed her kids and grandkids and left. Her yard is surrounded by woods. 

"My daughter came up here after us to grab our clothes. She wanted to grab some of the important (things), like pictures and stuff," Golding said.

They returned home the next day, but within hours firefighters came up the driveway. They started to burn around her home to push the fire back. 

"When they lit it all, you could feel the flames. I was yelling to my husband, 'Greg they are lighting the bank — now what do I do?'" Golding said. 

It was a scary sight, Golding said, but one she's glad is over.

"It's still scary to me because I still see smoke burning just a little bit where the logs have fallen, and it's still smoldering," Golding said.

Fire Information Officer Jeremy Waldrop says this fire was started because of someone burning during high winds.

"If there are windy conditions, it's best you don't do it. If you have a pile you want to burn, cover it, let it rain really good and then possibly burn the pile after a good rain comes through," Waldrop said.

Firefighters have been working 24 hours a day to extinguish the blaze. He says it is around 90% contained, and they are working on hot spots.

Waldrop says that with multiple fires in the state, they are being stretched thin. Firefighters ask that if you have something to burn, take proper precautions and always call the local fire department to see what steps you should take.