NEBO - Rain overnight Dec. 20 aided firefighters on the Coxes Creek No. 7 fire in McDowell County, which is now 100 percent contained, according to Lisa Jennings with the U.S. Forest Service in Asheville.

About 25 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, the North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County Emergency Management and local volunteer fire departments responded to the fire burning at 30 acres when first reported Dec. 18.

The fire increased to about 200 acres before the rain.

The Coxes Creek no. 7 Fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land and private property in the Turkey Cove Community off 226A north of Marion. Firefighters conducted burnout operations Tuesday and provided structure protection on six homes.

No homes were damaged or lost. The fire area received nearly a half-inch of rain Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, extinguishing most of the flames, Jennings said.

Interior hot spots remain, but she said they should be fully extinguished with more rainfall expected. Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire over the next several days. Smoke may remain in the area into Thursday.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Anyone who sees suspicious activity in the area should report it to the McDowell County Sherriff's Office detective line at 828-652-2237.

Conviction for arson on national forests carries a mandatory penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.