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Despite wind, firefighters hold the Party Rock line

Firefighters held the line despite strong winds Saturday and overnight Sunday that threatened to widen the Party Rock fire.

Strong winds tested containment lines but fire managers reported there was no fire growth outside the lines. Continued windy conditions and low humidity will keep firefighters on the alert again today, the U.S. and North Carolina Forest Service said. There are 920 firefighers and other responders battling the Party Rock fire, which started on Nov. 5 and has grown to 7,171 acres.

"If we can hold it one more day, we should be in great shape," incident commander Dan Brandon told firefighters during Sunday's morning briefing. Although no new evacuation warnings have been issued, the Forest Service warned that residents near the fire should remain vigilant. Residents and business owners are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts through their county or local government websites.