Forestry crews have been working for several days to maintain a fire in a Cocke County portion of Cherokee National Forest
Greg Salansky checks the forecast around "Hogback" Mountain
Tuesday's storms brought a heavy dose of rain in areas that have been coping with hot and dry conditions. Now, firefighters are thanking Mother Nature for some help in their efforts to put out wildfires.
Forestry crews have been working for several days to maintain a fire in a Cocke County portion of Cherokee National Forest. Locals refer to the ridge as "Hogback" Mountain.
District Fire Management Officer Greg Salansky says wildfires are common this time of year.
"This is just when a lot of the fires occurred in the Appalachians is in the summertime because you get these lightening strikes coming through. So you know even though it's a wildfire, it's a natural ignition," said Salansky.
He and other forestry officials are monitoring four other fires in the forest, but expect the rain will help their efforts around "Hogsback."
"We've got a good vantage point from here," Salansky said. "Three or four days from now we'll probably come and and just check and just see."
Philip Morgan, Sr. owns about 100 acres of farmland nearby, where he raises livestock. He remembers a dramatic week.
"The fire was coming towards our farm all week and the firefighters have been in there fighting it, pushing the fire back," he said.
He is accustomed to wildfires in the mountains, but said this one was particularly nerve-wracking due to it's proximity to his farm.
All his animals are unharmed, and he now considers the Tuesday storms a blessing.
"Mother Nature has helped us more than anything," Morgan said.