[chris]

A wildfire that burned through 600 to 700 acres of woods and pastureland near Monticello in Drew County, Arkansas, trapped a local farmer for more than half an hour on Sept. 19, 2013, before a 911 dispatcher guided him to safety over a 35 minute call, according to Monticello Live and NBC's Today show.

The fire broke out that Thursday afternoon along Highway 278 West, between Interstate 530 and the community of Wilmar, and grew quickly as strong winds pushed flames through dry brush. The highway was closed for most of the day, and Wilmar residents were told to be ready to evacuate if the fire moved closer to town.

Michael Fritts, a Drew County farmer known locally as Mike, was cut off by smoke and flames while on his property and called 911. Dispatcher Gail Hyatt stayed on the line with him for the next 35 minutes, keeping him talking and oriented while a spotter plane searched from above and ground crews worked to reach him, according to Monticello Live.

Firefighters from the Arkansas Forestry Commission and departments from several surrounding counties responded with more than a dozen fire plows and two aircraft. The blaze destroyed four hunting camps but no homes and was declared controlled around 1:30 a.m. No injuries or deaths were reported.

Days later, Fritts met Hyatt and the responders who had searched for him, at a gathering arranged by Monticello Live. He described the dispatcher as his "guardian angel" for keeping him calm until rescuers reached him. Fox 16 television in Little Rock aired an interview with Fritts, and the story went on to draw national coverage, including a segment on NBC's Today show.