04-05-2025
Massive wildfire grows to 1,500 acres near NC coast; Boiling Spring Lakes roads reopen in Brunswick County
BOILING SPRING LAKES, N.C. (WNCN) — Officials said a massive wildfire near the North Carolina coast in Boiling Spring Lakes nearly tripled in size again overnight into Sunday in Brunswick County.
The 'Sunset Road Fire' began Friday, burning 200 acres near N.C. 87 and grew to 650 acres on Saturday, just 10 miles from popular beach vacation areas, according to Boiling Spring Lakes town officials.
'On Saturday morning, the wildfire grew due to spotting over containment lines, causing the fire to spread,' N.C. Forest Service officials said in a Sunday news release.
By Sunday morning, the wildfire was up to 1,500 acres and was just 10 percent contained, the N.C. Forest Service said.
650 acre wildfire near NC coast; evacuations, roads closed in Brunswick County
Crews said, 'erratic winds and regionally dry conditions have made containment of the fire difficult.'
About a half-inch of rain fell overnight into Sunday, which diminished flames in the 'tree canopy,' the news release said.
But, forest officials said the fire could reignite in areas.
'Deep, smoldering organic soil also has the potential to hold fire below the soil surface, causing difficulties in extinguishing,' the news release said.
As of Sunday, no homes have been destroyed by the fire. The fire is located 10 miles north of Caswell Beach and 10 miles west of Carolina Beach.
On Sunday, all roads are opened and all evacuations were lifted, the N.C. Forest Service said.
Air quality has improved somewhat, with a Code Orange air quality alert in Brunswick County for Sunday.
As of noon Sunday, the N.C. Forest Service Incident Management Team took command of the Sunset Road Fire.
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