STOKES COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A wildfire that would go on to burn hundreds of acres on the north side of Sauratown Mountain broke out one year ago today on Nov. 19, 2023. Months after the fire, officials estimated it took $250,792 to fight, burning from Nov. 19 to Dec. 8 while firefighters spent their Thanksgiving holiday tirelessly battling the flames. At its peak, over 830 acres were actively burning on the north side of the mountains. (Credit: Austin Lynch) Credit: Michael Bustos Rain moved in two days after the fire began, which helped with containment, but the situation was far from over. Crews from as far away as Oregon came to help with the fight. People living on Sauratown Mountain Road and attending a youth camp in the area were evacuated. “It’s such a brotherhood and a sisterhood," Winston-Salem Battalion Chief Joe Ramsey said at the time. "… We lost 300 acres, but we didn’t lose structures. We could’ve lost all the houses on Sauratown Mountain. We could’ve lost Mountain Top Youth Camp, but we didn’t.” Governor Roy Cooper said in a visit to the impacted area. "These firefighters put their lives at risk. You can't take a fire like this for granted." He expressed pride in the people who came together to offer support, donations and volunteer their time in the fight against the fire. (Credit: Justin Wallace) People were able to return to their homes a few days after the initial evacuation order, and the fire was 69% contained by Nov. 23 when FOX8's own Chad Tucker stepped up to help serve Thanksgiving meals to the crews working on fighting the fire burning through a place he calls home. “This fire hits close to home for me and my family,” Tucker said at the time. He's from the Sauratown Mountain community and had family and property affected by the wildfire. “This is my people, my neighbors and family who volunteer to serve, to fight this wildfire and to keep us safe year-round. The least we can do is tell them personally they are appreciated and serve them a meal on Thanksgiving.” Chad Tucker, family serve Thanksgiving meals to firefighters at Sauratown Mountain Chad Tucker, family serve Thanksgiving meals to firefighters at Sauratown Mountain Chad Tucker, family serve Thanksgiving meals to firefighters at Sauratown Mountain Chad Tucker, family serve Thanksgiving meals to firefighters at Sauratown Mountain The fire was declared fully contained on Dec. 8, 2023. Some structures were damaged, but there was no loss of life and no injuries. In April of this year, officials released details about the cause of the fire, saying that an "escaped campfire" accidentally sparked the blaze.