Single Publication

Phone: 304-993-1862  Email: 2023.GreatLakes@firenet.gov

Croatan National Forest Web: www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/

The primary objective is public and firefighter safety

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

Weather:  Warm, dry, and breezy for Tuesday with southerly wind gusts of 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. An isolated shower is possible late Tuesday afternoon, but there are increasing chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms Tuesday night.

Acreage: 32,400 acres; Containment: 90%; Personnel and Equipment: 130 total personnel; 1 helicopter, 11 engines, 2 water tenders, 7 tractor plow units, 1 drone, and 2 track-mounted engines.

Yesterday: Crews monitored fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern and mopped up any close to the fireline. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire, and additional piping and pumping continued.

Today:  A North Carolina Interagency Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire at the beginning of operations this morning. Aviation and ground resources will continue to monitor fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern. Mop up operations with engines, and heavy equipment continue on the north end and southwest portion of the fire.  Major flooding operations for areas of ground fire in the south and southeastern area of the fire continue. Resources assigned to the fire will also be available for initial attack should a new wildfire occur.

Highlighting Fire Effects on the Ecosystem: Ongoing efforts are underway on the Croatan National Forest to restore long leaf pine, an ecologically fire adapted species, to its native range.

Special Note:  Additional fire updates will not be issued daily, but will be issued as significant changes occur. 

• Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place effective May 9, 2023 from 6 AM to 2 PM local time, and altitude from the surface up to and including 1000 feet, daily until further notice, to allow for safe operations of the drone equipped to detect heat sources. Complete information is at: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_2893.html
• Closures: Forest Service Road 203 (Holston Creek Road) and Black Swamp Road remain closed due to fire equipment and operations. Updates to road closures surrounding the fire are at https://drivenc.gov/.  
• 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/Firewise-USA