A brush fire in north Dade County near Lookout Mountain likely caused by an arsonist is expected to burn out this evening, according to Georgia Fire Protection Service officials.

The fire, which has blazed since before 7:20 a.m. Monday, has been particularly difficult for firefighters to deal with because of its inaccessible location.

Usually when dealing with such an emergency, firefighters would bulldoze an area around the fire, clearing any flammable materials to create a firebreak the flames can't pass. This fire's terrain didn't initially allow for this technique, and firefighters tried a direct assault on the blaze. When that failed and the fire area grew to affect nearly 1,000 acres, they decided rather than risk injury, they would bulldoze a wider area around the vacant land.

So far no injuries have been reported. The blaze should be contained by this evening, officials said.