BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Authorities are continuing the search for a 56-year-old Barnardsville woman who went missing earlier this week.

Investigators with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office are searching the area near Dillingham and Stoney Fork roads for Betty Wheeler. More than 80 personnel from local fire departments, the SBI, the North Carolina Department of Corrections and community volunteers are assisting, using drones and K-9 units.

BCSO District 2 Captain Chris Stockton praised the community’s response.

“It has been incredible to witness the care and compassion expressed by the Barnardsville community in response to this event,” Stockton said in a news release. “It is evident that Betty Wheeler positively impacted the lives of Barnardsville residents on a daily basis. The Sheriff’s Office is committed to locating Betty, and we cannot accomplish this without the community’s help. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this effort to this point.”

Investigators said they believe Wheeler’s disappearance is a missing persons case and do not suspect criminal activity.

Wheeler is approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall with blonde curly hair. She was last seen early Monday wearing blue jeans, a flannel shirt, boots and a ballcap.

Anyone with information about Wheeler’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office at 828-250-6670.