Updated 8:45 p.m.
A wildfire in Bladen County is causing smoke and ash across Columbus County, and is visible for 50 miles.
As of 8 p.m., the fire had expanded to 425acres, with zero containment, according to the N.C. Forest Service.
The fire off Rosindale Road is near the Welches’ Creek Gamelands. The fire apparently began near a residential area off Rosindale Road and N.C. 211. The smoke plume is visible from Wilmington to Tabor City. Ash was reported falling in Whiteville and Cerro Gordo at 6 p.m.
The Forest Service and local firefighters are on the scene of the fire.
Columbus Emergency Services issued an advisory about the fire just after 4 p.m. today (Tuesday).
All of North Carolina remains under a burning ban due to the drought and prime wildfire conditions. No outside burning of any kind is permitted at this time.
