RALEIGH, N.C. — A wildfire in eastern North Carolina has spread across 5,800 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.”
Smoke may impact driving conditions, and the smell is expected to drift in areas east of Creswell, the state warned.
Seventy-fire firefighters have responded to the blaze, which grew from 4,500 acres to 5,800 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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