State of emergency evacuations for Boiling Spring Lakes due to wildfire

BOILING SPRING LAKE, NC (WWAY NEWS) —What began as small brush fire quickly grew into a large wildfire due to high winds.

Maribella Moss lives in the area near where the fire first began and she was able to see the fire from South Brunswick High.

“I saw it from my school. I saw like planes flying around it and it was like reaching all the way over there. It was like really smoking, it looked really thick.”

Evacuations had already begun for the west side of Boiling Spring Lakes, as Moss and her family had not been allowed near their home for more than 4 hours.

Evacuation efforts grew as the fire moved northeast towards Highway 87, which is the main road leading in and out of the city.
According to the city’s Fire Chief Bill Lathrop, more than eighty five units or trucks from at least five counties responded to help.

He says the fire has been a challenge to contain.

“I mean, it’s breached various stages of containment and every time we get lines all the way around it, in any one spot, it hops those lines. So it’s contained and then it’s not and then it’s contained and it’s not. So, as far as containment, I can’t give you a percentage right now but we’re, we’ve got so many units and resources here on the ground that hopefully we’ll have it suppressed.”

Efforts to fight the fire came from the sky as well, as helicopters and planes carrying water were used to try and slow it’s spread.

Boiling Spring Lakes Mayor Jeff Winecoff has declared a state of emergency for the city, and Governor Josh Stein is aware of the situation.

Mayor Winecoff spoke about the efforts of the firefighters trying to contain it.

“A fire is unpredictable, anywhere, anytime you have a fire, it’s really unpredictable and when the wind picks up, it makes it even tougher for these firefighters. So we’re just crossing our fingers and make sure, hope they stay safe. We’re trying to keep them fed, hydrated so they’re out there fighting this fire.”

State officials also say a code red air quality action alert is in effect for Brunswick County, and a code orange in New Hanover County because southeast winds are blowing smoke towards the Wilmington area.

Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department is wanting more people to evacuate due to the wildfire in Boiling Spring Lakes.

Officials say residents in the area of Nassau, Queens, Mission, Woodhaven, Greenmoss, and Drayton please evacuate at this time. Follow the instruction of emergency personnel. 

The American Red Cross has opened the South Brunswick High School Auxiliary Gym as a shelter due to the Boiling Spring Lakes fire.  Any domestic animals must be in a kennel or crate (kennels will be available from the sheriff’s department).