Local fire departments are battling a forest fire on Sauratown Mountain near Winston-Salem NC. Local news media report evacuation of some residents.

Nancy Jackson of the Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) has asked that climbers stay away from the area:

"No visual details, yet. Left Hanging Rock today and saw heavy 'clouds' over S'town. Tonight, the news reported more than 25 acres is on fire. We could not determine from the news coverage which specific part of the cliff is burning, or how the fire started.

Please do NOT go to Sauratown to climb.

Once we have more details we will post it up ASAP.

Right now, let's be hopeful that the homes and residents on the hillside are safe and the firefighters can get this under control."

For more details, check the CCC message board.

JL

UPDATE: As of last night (3/27), 250+ acres have burned. The entire cliff is affected and the trail is most likely obliterated.

Sauratown should be considered off-limits to climbing until further notice.

JL