A fire that is believed to have been intentionally set burned around five to six acres on the Appalachian Trail in White County Saturday afternoon.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy said White County Fire Services responded to a woods fire in the area of Whitley Gap shelter on the Appalachian Trail. Four fire service personnel had to hike into the area to determine the exact location of the fire.
When fire personnel arrived at the shelter, they located a male hiker in his 70s; they stayed with him until they could safely evacuate him to his vehicle.
Because the fire was on National Forest property, Murphy said U.S. Forest Service personnel were notified and responded to extinguish the fire.
