Firefighting crews increase water flow into the Last Resort fire area   

CRESWELL – Personnel working the Last Resort Fire in Tyrrell County have increased water flow into the fire area. The fire is now 68% contained and water will continue to soak the area over the next several days.

More than 120 million gallons of water has been pumped from Phelps Lake and a freshwater canal along Seagoing Road. Water handling operations are crucial for pumping water and moving it to the fire area to minimize loss of organic soil, reduce smoke impacts and prevent reburn.

Despite significant wind gusts across the fire area this past weekend, firefighting personnel have held the fire to 5,290 acres in size.

Operational resources working the fire include 78 personnel from the N.C. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

There are still no injuries and no structures threatened at this time. The cause of the fire was determined to be a debris burn on private land that escaped containment.

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in effect for the Last Resort Fire. The TFR restricts all civilian aircraft, manned and unmanned, within 5 miles of the fire. The flight restriction remains in place until aviation support is no longer needed.

            For information updates, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncpor-last-resort-fire.

Sign up to receive the latest updates on the Last Resort Fire. Check the box “Last Resort Fire 2023.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023
CONTACT: Philip Jackson, public information officer

N.C. Forest Service
919-857-4828 or philip.jackson@ncagr.gov

Containment lines around the Last Resort Fire hold firm against Saturday wind gusts

CRESWELL – Despite substantial wind gusts across the fire area Saturday, the Last
Resort Fire in Tyrrell County is now 56% contained. Additional mapping revealed the fire is
5,280 acres in size. 

Firefighting personnel established pump sites at Phelps Lake and a fresh water canal
alongside Seagoing Road. Water is flowing from Phelps Lake and should begin saturating the
fire area by end of day Monday. Water will be used to soak the area over the next several days.
Water handling operations are crucial for pumping water and moving it to the fire area to
minimize loss of organic soil, reduce smoke impacts and prevent reburn.

Operational resources working the fire include 79 personnel from the N.C. Forest Service
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

There are no injuries and no structures threatened at this time. The cause of the fire was
determined to be a debris burn on private land that escaped containment.

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in effect for the Last Resort Fire. The TFR
restricts all civilian aircraft, manned and unmanned, within 5 miles of the fire. The flight
restriction remains in place until aviation support is no longer needed.

A community meeting will be held at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Visitor
Center Sunday, April 2, at 3 p.m. Representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the N.C. Forest Service will address the plan for moving water to the fire area and answer
questions.

For information updates, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncpor-
last-resort-fire.

Sign up to receive the latest updates on the Last Resort Fire. Check the box “Last Resort
Fire 2023.”

Refuge Manager Wendy Stanton announced today that refuge roads between DeHoig Road east through Middle Road are CLOSED until further notice due to firefighting activity and fire equipment use.

Announcement

What: Last Resort Fire Community Meeting

When: Sunday, April 2, 2023 3:00pm

Where:  Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 205 South Ludington Drive, Columbia, NC 27925

Purpose: The Last Resort Incident Management Team will provide information and updates about the Last Resort Fire. Representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the N.C. Forest Service will address the plan for moving water to the fire area and answer questions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023  

CONTACT:      Philip Jackson, public information officer

                        919-857-4828 or philip.jackson@ncagr.gov

The Last Resort Fire in Tyrrell County remains 5,293 acres in size as water pumping operations begin

CRESWELL – As of 4 p.m., March 30, the Last Resort Fire in Tyrrell County remains 5,293 acres in size and 48% contained.

Irrigation systems are wetting the fire area along Western Road. Firefighting personnel have established pump sites at Phelps Lake and a fresh water canal alongside Seagoing Road. Water pumps are expected to be in service and moving water Thursday evening.

Due to the distance between the fire area and closest water sources, water flowing into the fire area is still days away.

Water handling operations are crucial for pumping water and moving it to the fire area to minimize loss of organic soil, reduce smoke impacts and prevent reburn.

Cooler temperatures and recent rainfall have helped minimize smoke impacts. Communities northwest of the fire area near Roper and Plymouth can expect to smell smoke overnight and into Friday morning.

In the interest of safety, residents and commuters may want to consider allowing for extra travel time or plan to take alternate routes. Overnight, a combination of smoke and fog could lead to low visibility in some areas.

Those commuting Friday morning should remain alert and attentive to signage. Road closures may be implemented as needed.

Operational resources working the fire include 79 personnel from the N.C. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

There are no injuries and no structures threatened at this time. The cause of the fire was determined to be a debris burn on private land that escaped containment.

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in effect for the Last Resort Fire. The TFR restricts all civilian aircraft, manned and unmanned, within 5 miles of the fire. The flight restriction remains in place until aviation support is no longer needed.

For information updates, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncpor-last-resort-fire.

Sign up to receive the latest updates on the Last Resort Fire. Check the box “Last Resort Fire 2023.”

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Learn and ask questions about the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 13, 2023

Tres Piedras Ranger Station
22280 Hwy 64
Tres Piedras, NM 87577

The Hopkins Knob Prescribed Burn is complete as of 5:04 p.m. A total of 837 acres were treated with prescribed fire. Fire staff will monitor the area tonight and tomorrow as needed.