36,000-acre wildfire burning in North Carolina’s Croatan National Forest, officials say

A 36,000-acre wildfire is burning in the vast Croatan National Forest, prompting ash to fall like snow in parts of eastern North Carolina.

The fire is centered near Great Lake and heavy smoke and orange skies were reported in cities more than 60 miles away. The forest is about 135 miles southeast of Raleigh.

U.S. Forest Service officials report the blaze is 30% contained as of Sunday, April 23.

“Twenty tractor plow units are constructing 25 miles of firebreaks around the fire’s edge in an effort to prevent the fire from spreading to private land,” the U.S. Forest Service reports.

“Travelers on highways adjacent to the fire area should proceed with caution, especially on highways 17 and 70 where firefighters are operating. Expect smoke in the area, particularly in the mornings and evenings.”

No injuries have been reported and no buildings are threatened, officials said.

Seventy personnel were battling the fire Friday, and more firefighters are on the way, the U.S. Forest Service reports.

The blaze was discovered around 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, when it covered 50 acres.

“Increasingly dry conditions” and wind gusts of up to 20 mph contributed to the fire spreading rapidly, and resulted in ash “coming down almost like snow” in surrounding communities, WITN reported.

An air quality alert has been issued through midnight Saturday for 21 counties in eastern N.C., with experts warning air could be unhealthy. The worst of the impact will be felt in Craven and Jones counties, where residents should “avoid outdoor exercise and limit their time outside until conditions improve,” N.C. Environmental Quality said in a news release.

The first sign of danger is an ability to smell the smoke, experts say. “Anyone who can see or smell smoke is encouraged to limit time outdoors,” the department said.

Winds are pushing much of the smoke to the south. However, a passing cold front late Saturday may direct the smoke east, state officials said.

“This fire is causing the dark, smoky skies overhead as well as the falling ash,” No. 7 Township Fire Rescue in James City wrote on Facebook. “We stand ready to assist with mutual aid, but wanted to inform our residents of the incident as well as worsening air quality conditions outside.”

A cause and point of origin in the pine forest have not been released.

An 90% chance of rain forecast Saturday night could provide firefighters with needed help over the weekend.

Croatan National Forest covers 160,000 acres and is home to rare carnivorous plants like the Venus fly-trap, sunder and pitcher plant, officials say. It is remote — bordered on three sides by rivers and the Bogue Sound — and is considered “the only true coastal forest in the East,” officials say.

This story was originally published April 21, 2023 at 3:31 PM with the headline "36,000-acre wildfire burning in North Carolina’s Croatan National Forest, officials say."