Brunswick County Wildfire 10% Contained, all evacuations lifted

BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Forest Service reports that the Sunset Road Fire in Boiling Spring Lakes has burned approximately 1,500 acres and is currently 10% contained.

According to the Forest Service, the wildfire grew Saturday morning due to spotting over containment lines, which caused the fire to spread. Firefighters remain on the scene, closely monitoring the fire perimeter for additional spot fires.

Fire Response and Conditions

As of Sunday, the N.C. Forest Service Incident Management Team has assumed command of the Sunset Road Fire.
The agency reports that wildland fire engines and large equipment continue to operate on roads in and around the fire zone. Motorists are asked to use caution when traveling along the NC Highway 87 corridor near Boiling Spring Lakes.

No homes have been reported destroyed as a result of the wildfire.

A cold front moved through the area overnight, producing scattered showers and approximately six-tenths of an inch of rainfall over the fire zone. Before the rain, the Forest Service reported active fire in the tree canopy during early morning hours.

According to the update, deep, smoldering organic soil may continue to hold fire below the surface, complicating suppression efforts. The potential for flame resurgence or reburn in unburned fuel pockets remains.

Firefighting Operations

On Saturday, firefighter crews focused on water handling and dozer operations to construct and reinforce fire lines. The N.C. Forest Service aviation fleet conducted water drops over the fire.

Although fire lines now surround the full perimeter of the fire, the Forest Service says erratic winds and dry regional conditions have made containment difficult. The current 10% containment reflects fire lines where no further firefighter action is needed to hold the fire.

Air Quality and Closures

A Code Orange air quality alert is in effect for Brunswick County through midnight Sunday. Current air quality conditions for North Carolina can be found at AirNow.gov.

As of this morning, all roads in and around Boiling Spring Lakes have been reopened, though officials caution that smoky conditions may persist for several days.

The emergency shelter at South Brunswick High School remains open.
All mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders have been lifted, according to the NC Forest Service.

For additional updates on closures and shelter status, residents can visit the Brunswick County website at brunswickcountync.gov.