Fire crews in western North Carolina have been working for weeks to contain a wildfire burning in Cherokee County, in the southwestern corner of the state.
Over the weekend, firefighters managed to get the Collett Ridge Fire about 55% contained. The fire, about 15 miles east of Murphy, North Carolina, has been burning since Oct. 23 and spread to more than 5,300 acres.
There is a burn ban in place for 30 counties in western North Carolina.
There are more than 270 people working the Collett Ridge Fire, along with heavy equipment and three helicopters, the U.S. Forest Service said.
"The next two days, this fire will wake up," Wes McKinney, with the U.S. Forest Service, said in a video update on the fire Monday morning.
"We're feeling really comfortable," he said, with crews working to solidify containment lines around the smoldering fire and protect homes and other structures near the fire. The fire has stayed about the same size since Friday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
"Weather continued to play an important role in assisting firefighters in increasing containment on the fire yesterday," the U.S. Forest Service said in its Monday morning update.
Related: Fighting Fire with Fire: Crews use strategic burning to help control wildfires in western N.C.
"High pressure is forecast to nose its way into the area from the northeast today and Tuesday with a period of drying," The U.S. Forest Service said. Along with lower humidity, the winds are also expected to pick up, which could stoke the fire.
Until the mountains get enough rain, the fire is expected to continue smoldering, officials said.
Officials have not said what sparked the fire in Cherokee County.
To the east in Henderson County, crews with the N.C. Forest Service have the Poplar Drive Fire at about 75% contained. The fire, about 20 miles southeast of Asheville, has stayed at about 430 acres since Nov. 5.
The N.C. Forest Service said it has 98 people working to fight the fire.
"Firefighters will continue to aggressively mop-up inside containment lines, patrol around structures, reduce the risk of falling snags and strengthen containment lines where necessary," the N.C. Forest Service said Monday morning.
The fire continues to smolder, but it's been minimal, officials said.
"Potential for fire reignition is elevated due to leaf fall and snags," the N.C. Forest Service warned.
"One home, two cabins and three outbuildings have been lost, while another home sustained damage," the N.C. Forest Service said. "Area homes remain threatened."
Crews have been working to clear leaves and branches nears homes close to the fire in case the fire flares back up again, according to Edneyville Fire Rescue.
"The weather over the next few days will bring warmer temperatures and lower humidity, so there is still a slight chance of some pop-up areas of heat and smoke, the work they are continuing to do is to make sure that the area is prepared something does happen," the fire department said.
N.C. Forest Service officials are investigating what caused the fire.
