Brunswick County Battles Wildfire

A massive wildfire is burning in Brunswick County, North Carolina, after a 'controlled burn' went out of control. The fire, which is called the Pulp Road Fire, is located in the Green Swamp Nature Preserve and has so far engulfed over 16,000 acres. The fire began on Tuesday, June 13, as a prescribed burn conducted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission but later spread and became a wildfire. As of Saturday, June 17, the fire was at 11,500 acres and continued to grow, with 0% containment.

The Pulp Road Fire in Brunswick County grew to 11,500 acres

The Pulp Road Fire in Brunswick County, North Carolina, grew to 11,500 acres by June 16, 2023, and smoke from the fire could be seen from space. The fire, which started as a controlled burn, spread to become a wildfire. By June 18, the fire had grown to 16,000 acres.

The North Carolina Forest Service said about 25 firefighters were fighting the blaze, which is located in the Green Swamp Nature Preserve, east of North Carolina Highway 211. The fire initially began as a much smaller controlled burn on Tuesday, June 13, and was handled by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. However, by Thursday, Forest Service crews were called in to help contain the wildfire, which had spread to about 3,500 acres.

As of June 16, the fire was at zero percent containment. Firefighting personnel conducted strategic firing operations to bring the fire's edge to the road system, which would help crews better contain it. The maneuvers had the fire's northern edge at the Driving Creek Fire scar, while the south side was pushed closer to Highway 211.

The Pulp Road Fire caused the closure of several roads, including portions of Highway 211, Highway 17, and U.S. 17, due to low visibility and challenging travel conditions. Residents and commuters were advised to allow for extra travel time or take alternate routes.

Air quality alerts were issued for Brunswick and New Hanover counties, with a Code Red alert for Brunswick County and a Code Orange alert for New Hanover County. The fire and smoke affected communities in and around Brunswick County, particularly areas surrounding the Green Swamp Nature Preserve and northeast of Wilmington. The smoke contained high levels of fine particle pollution, PM2.5, which can aggravate asthma or other lung issues.

The fire was a result of a controlled burn that became a wildfire

On June 17, 2023, a massive wildfire was reported in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The fire, known as the Pulp Road Fire, started as a controlled burn conducted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission on Tuesday, June 13, but it eventually spread out of control, becoming a wildfire.

The Pulp Road Fire burned through the Green Swamp Nature Preserve, with smoke drifting east over New Hanover County and beaches and throughout northern Brunswick County. The fire initially engulfed around 3,500 acres of land but quickly spread, reaching 11,500 acres by Friday, June 16, and growing to 16,000 acres by Saturday, June 17. This rapid expansion prompted a response from the N.C. Forest Service Red Incident Management Team, who took command of the situation.

The area of Brunswick County affected by the fire had not experienced any fires since the 1950s, according to officials. This resulted in a significant buildup of dense vegetation, providing ample fuel for the blaze. To combat the fire, firefighters conducted mop-up operations, mitigated snags, extinguished smoldering pockets, and monitored for spot fires. They also strengthened dozer lines to the south and east of the fire.

The fire posed several challenges and risks. It led to the closure of portions of Highway 211 and other roads due to safety concerns and low visibility caused by smoke. Residents and commuters were advised to allow for extra travel time or take alternate routes. Additionally, the fire and its smoke impacted air quality, with a Code Red air quality alert issued for Brunswick County and a Code Orange alert for New Hanover County. The smoke contained high levels of fine particle pollution, PM2.5, which can aggravate asthma and other lung issues.

The Pulp Road Fire in Brunswick County highlighted the potential consequences of controlled burns and the challenges faced by firefighters in managing such incidents. It also underscored the importance of public safety, air quality maintenance, and the protection of natural preserves.

The fire is inside the Green Swamp Nature Preserve

The Pulp Road fire in Brunswick County has spread to the Green Swamp Nature Preserve, with over 11,000 acres engulfed in flames as of June 16. The fire, which began as a controlled burn on Tuesday, June 13, has since expanded to 16,000 acres and is now a full-blown wildfire. The N.C. Forest Service Red Incident Management Team is currently handling the situation, with 80 personnel engaged and 10% of the fire contained as of June 18.

The fire is located inside the Green Swamp Nature Preserve, east of N.C. Highway 211. Fire crews are working to push the fire towards the road system to better contain it. This strategy involves using backfiring operations off the existing road system, along with aerial ignition in the fire's interior, to reduce the amount of unburned fuel in front of the fire. As a result, residents and travellers are advised to expect travel disruptions and plan their routes accordingly.

The Green Swamp Nature Preserve is known for its diverse and rare species, including the Venus flytrap, a vulnerable species on the conservation list, and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The preserve also boasts magnificent orchids and some of the country's finest examples of longleaf pine savannas. It is home to at least 14 different species of insectivorous plants, including sundew, butterworts, and pitcher plants, as well as rare animals such as the American alligator, fox squirrel, and Henslow's sparrow.

The area has not seen a fire in 70 years, allowing dense vegetation to accumulate and fuel the blaze. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fire within the Green Swamp Nature Preserve and protect the unique flora and fauna found within. The preserve remains closed until further notice, and a temporary flight restriction is in place to ensure the safety of pilots and the effectiveness of firefighting efforts.

The fire caused a Super Fog Alert and air quality warnings

The Pulp Road fire in Brunswick County, North Carolina, has caused a Super Fog Alert and air quality warnings. The fire, which started as a controlled burn, has engulfed over 16,000 acres of land and led to hazardous driving conditions in the surrounding areas. The combination of smoke and fog has resulted in significantly reduced visibility, with officials urging motorists to exercise extreme caution when travelling near NC Highway 211 and Highway 17.

The North Carolina Forest Service has issued a Super Fog Alert, warning of the potential for more "super fog" due to the mixing of smoke and fog. This mixture can cause significant visibility issues, impacting travel and the safety of both drivers and firefighters alike. The fire's impact on air quality has also raised concerns, with the air deemed unhealthy for everyone in Brunswick County and potentially affecting those with breathing issues or underlying health conditions.

Air quality alerts have been issued, with Brunswick County under a Red alert status, indicating unhealthy air quality for all residents. The N.C. Division of Air Quality has also issued a Code Red alert for the county. Meanwhile, neighbouring counties, including Bladen, Columbus, and Pender, are under Orange alert status, signalling potential air quality issues for sensitive groups. New Hanover County is under a Yellow status, indicating a moderate risk.

The fire has impacted travel, with road closures in place for NC Highway 211 and other corridors due to low visibility and safety concerns. The North Carolina Department of Transportation closed an 8.7-mile stretch of NC 211 from Little Macedonia Road to Camp Branch Road to ensure the safety of both firefighters and travellers. Detours and alternative routes have been advised for commuters.

The fire has also led to a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in the area, in place from the surface up to and including 1,500 feet. The public has been reminded to keep drones away from the wildfire, as their unauthorised use can compromise the safety of pilots and interfere with firefighting efforts. The Green Swamp Nature Preserve, where the fire is located, remains closed.

No injuries or structural damage have been reported

The Pulp Road Fire in Brunswick County, North Carolina, has not caused any injuries or structural damage, officials said. The wildfire, which started as a controlled burn, had spread across 11,500 acres as of June 16, 2023, and was still growing.

The N.C. Forest Service Red Incident Management Team took command of the fire, which was located in the Green Swamp Nature Preserve. The fire was initially a "prescribed burn" or "controlled burn" conducted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. However, it spread and became a wildfire.

Firefighters conducted mop-up operations, mitigated snags, extinguished smoldering pockets, and monitored for spot fires. They also strengthened dozer lines to the south and east of the fire. These backfiring operations were necessary to improve safe access and movement for firefighting personnel, according to NCFS Agency Administrator Tommy Sports.

As a result of the fire, parts of Highway 211 were closed between Little Macedonia and Camp Branch roads. Drivers were advised to use alternative routes, and residents in nearby areas were warned of potential travel disruptions due to low visibility caused by smoke.

While the fire caused significant smoke and air quality issues, no injuries or structural damage were reported. The Green Swamp Nature Preserve remained closed to the public due to the fire.

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