Crews have the Pulp Road fire contained in the Green Swamp, but the fire’s effects are stillk being felt across the area.
The Forest Service said that as of 9 a.m. today (Friday), the Brunswick County fire has burned roughly 2,500 acres in the Green Swamp Nature Preserve. The fire started out as a controlled burn by the Wildlife Commission and Nature Conservancy. A shift in weather patterns sent the fire out of control Wednesday.
There are no injuries and no structures threatened at this time.
On Thursday, NCFS Spokesperson Christie Adams said firefighting personnel completed strategic firing operations to eliminate unburned fuels outside the fire area. Crews also tackled some significant spotovers along Richardson Road, when live embers carried by strong winds started other fires. Personnel will continue strategic firing operations into the weekend while weather conditions allow.
Significant smoke is expected for communities in and surrounding Brunswick County. An unusual Code Red Air Quality warning was issued for Brunswick. Ash and smoke have been reported in Columbus County, but most of the fire’s impacts have been blown north and east.
Area surrounding the Green Swamp Nature Preserve and northeast of Wilmington will experience the heaviest smoke impacts. Highway 17 and other corridors could be impacted with substantial smoke, resulting in low visibility and challenging travel conditions overnight and into Saturday.
Officials are urging motorists to use alternate routes when possible, reduce speed, and watch out for firefighting equipment and personnel along roads.
The N.C. Forest Service is mobilizing its Red Incident Management Team to take command of the Pulp Road Fire. Currently, operational resources working on the fire include multiple engine and tractor plow strike teams as well as aircraft providing aerial support. Multiple NCFS aircraft have been staging out of the Brunswick County jetport.
The public is reminded to keep drones away from wildfires, Adams said. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
The Green Swamp Nature Preserve remains closed.
