ASBERRY, Ala. (WIAT) -- A wildfire near Asberry in Calhoun County has been contained.
Residents were temporarily evacuated Tuesday night but are now allowed to return home. The Alabama Forestry Commission says the wildfire grew to 280 acres.
The fire burned right into the backyard and home of Johnny Powell. He says he lost almost everything he owned in the fire.
Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade says it began threatening homes Tuesday afternoon, which lead to the evacuation.
“Anybody who lived in that area got an alert on their cell phone. We worked with the Calhoun County EMA, did some geo fencing and was able to outline an area and send a notice too,” remarked Wade.
Powell stayed at his property until the last minute, flames were just feet away when he left.
“They were getting right up to the corner of the trailer when we left,” commented Powell. “I kept hoping the wind would change but it didn’t.”
The cause of the fire is unknown. Wade says the ATF and fire marshall are investigating at this time no criminal activity is suspected.
“All the leaves and everything that fall on the forest floor, that’s fuel,” said Wade “This being private property, I don’t know how long its been since they have had a burn. There might have been a large amount of fuel there, and all it took was a little bit of a fire, and little bit of wind, and it just quickly got out of control.”
The American Red Cross is on the ground in Calhoun County helping everyone who has been affected by this wildfire.