Multiple area fire agencies and state forestry officials responded to a two-acre brush fire south of Rockwood on Wednesday afternoon after a landowner reportedly set the blaze and tried to prevent emergency crews from putting it out.

The fire broke out around 3:00 p.m. near the intersection of Black Creek Road and Reed Road, burning rapidly through open land and dense woods.

Responding crews faced immediate obstacles, including difficult terrain that forced firefighters to abandon their vehicles and trek on foot to reach active flames. The situation was further complicated by the landowner’s resistance; according to emergency radio traffic, the individual who set the fire explicitly stated they did not want it extinguished.

Recognizing the threat to surrounding properties and timberland, command staff on scene overrode the owner’s demands and ordered full suppression efforts.

The Tennessee Department of Forestry was called in to assist local departments, utilizing heavy equipment to plow containment lines around the perimeter to stop the fire’s advance. Emergency personnel remained on site throughout the late afternoon monitoring hot spots and securing the boundary.

No injuries or structural damages have been reported. Local authorities have not yet released the identity of the landowner or announced whether charges will be filed.