Single Publication

NEW BERN, N.C., May 15, 2025 – Firefighters on the Black Swamp Fire on the Croatan National Forest have achieved 80% containment. The fire remains at 950-acre footprint. A team of 88 personnel from several agencies are currently assigned to the fire.

Infrared flights are still showing pockets of isolated heat on the fire. Saturating the deep layers of organic soil is necessary to fully extinguish the smoldering. Incoming warmer, drier weather may create opportunity for the fire to spread. Crews will work diligently to apply water to the fire, taking advantage of the high water levels in the canals surrounding the fire before temperatures rise at the end of the week. 

Yesterday, an additional pump was installed on the west side of the fire to allow for transport of water from canals directly to hotspots in the interior of the fire. Over the next several days, firefighters will continue this targeted flooding to saturate the small areas of heat before fuels dry and risk of spread increases. Today, an additional pump will be installed to provide a water source on the east side of the fire.

The public is reminded to abide by all posted closures keeping firefighter and public safety in mind. Closures remain in effect for Black Swamp Road, the Black Swamp OHV area, Great Lake Boating Access Area and Sheep Ridge Wilderness Area, as well as portions of Great Lake Road, Seaborn Road and Holston Hunter Road.

For the latest wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina

Smoke from the fire can cause limited visibility and may impact local air quality. Please drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check for air quality alerts at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov.

The USDA Forest Service is working in close partnership with state and federal agencies, including the North Carolina Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission and the National Park Service.