Single Publication

Great Lakes Fire Update 

Friday May 5, 2023 

 Hours: 8 am-8 pm Phone: (252) 285-6174   Email: 2023.GreatLakes@firenet.gov  
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/ncncf-great-lakes  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/  

The primary objective for the Gray Team is public and firefighter safety 

Effective Friday midnight May 4, the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been lifted for airspace over the Great Lakes Fire and airspace is now open for normal operations. 

PLEASE BE AWARE: Wildland fire engines and large equipment will continue to be on roads in the fire area and travelling to and from assignments on US Hwy 70 between Havelock and New Bern. Please slow down and use caution when driving near them.  

Today, high pressure will become centered over the area. Light north winds are expected in the morning, becoming southeast around 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph after the sea breeze pushes through in the afternoon. Highs will reach the middle 70s with minimum relative humidity in the middle 30s. 

Acreage: 32,400 acres; Containment: 70%; Personnel and Equipment: 224 total personnel; 2 helicopters, 10 engines, 3 Type-2 and 2 Type-3 tractor plow units, 1 drone, 1 grader, 1 excavator and 2 ambulances.  

Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor for heat sources today. The water control structure work to increase flooding in the southeast part of the fire was completed yesterday with flooding continuing to raise the water-table and rehydrate the organic soils affecting about 1,000 acres of the fire.  Smoke dried needles continue to fall from pine trees in the fire area. And crews extinguish new flames when the needles accumulate and ignite on hidden heat sources near the fireline. This will be a continuous issue as “needlecast” increases new light fuels on the ground. The drone flew yesterday to identify heat sources and complete their mission on the Great Lakes. The drone-crew will return to their home base today for future assignments. Their work significantly aided firefighters in effectively and efficiently identifying heat sources. 

Air quality: Information on current air quality data for North Carolina is at https://www.airnow.gov/.   

Closures: The road closures on Forest Service Road 203 (Holston Creek Road) remains in effect.  Updates to road closures surrounding the fire is at https://drivenc.gov/.  

The closure has been lifted on County Line Road.  

Firewise: Information on preparing your home and property to reduce the risk from fire can be found at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firwise-USA  

Donations: Those interested in donating to firefighters, please consider assisting your local fire departments and /or the Wildland Firefighter Foundation https://wffoundation.org