UPDATE: As of 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, the wildfire was 34% contained and covered 5,200 acres, the N.C. Department of Agriculture reports.
The original story is below.
A wildfire in eastern North Carolina has spread across 5,200 acres with “0% containment,” the N.C. Department of Agriculture reports.
“The Last Resort Fire,” as it is being called, is burning on both private and federal lands in rural Tyrrell County, the department said in a March 25 news release.
“There are no injuries and no structures threatened at this time,” the department said.
“Light rain temporarily moderated conditions late (Saturday) afternoon. Firefighting crews will continue efforts to improve containment lines and monitor conditions through the remainder of the operational period.”
Easterly winds following Sunday’s weather front are expected to carry smoke west, to communities between Roper and Caswell, officials say.
“Significant smoke” may impact road conditions and drivers should allow for extra travel time or take alternate routes, officials said.
Seventy-fire firefighters have responded to the blaze, which grew from 4,500 acres to 5,200 acres over nine hours Saturday.
“The public is reminded to keep drones away from wildfires,” officials said. “While drones provide unique opportunities for aerial video and imagery of wildfire activity, they are unauthorized. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.”
The fire started March 24 “on private land then moved onto Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge near Lake Phelps,” according to station WITN.
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