What caused the Brunswick County wildfire and what's being done to fight it

MORE UPDATES HERE: Rain this week could help extinguish the Brunswick County wildfire. Here's the latest

As of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Bill Walker, North Carolina Forest Service Ranger serving Brunswick and New Hanover counties, said a wildfire burning in the Green Swamp Nature Preserve had not increased in size since Saturday when the blaze encompassed about 16,000 acres.

Here's what you need to know about the fire:

How are burn permits issued?

The fire began Tuesday, June 13, as a prescribed burn conducted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Walker explained while the North Carolina Forest Service issued the burn permit for the prescribed burn, the organization or individual seeking the burn permit doesn't have to consult with the department about conditions.

"Anybody can get a burn permit as long as they are not canceled by a state-issued burn ban," he explained. "If a state-issued burn ban is not in effect, we are required to issue the permit."

Burn permits are requested through an online system, and the person or agency requesting the permit can indicate a date range for their burn activities. Walker said once the permit is issued, the burn can legally take place.

When did the N.C. Forest Service assume control?

Walker said the forest service did not assume operations in the Green Swamp Nature Preserve until Thursday.

"We took it over when they lost control of it," he said.

Walker explained the forest service did increase the size of the wildfire in an effort to contain and control it by depriving it of the underbrush that could fuel it. He added by driving it to man-made barriers, such as N.C. 211, the firefighters could work from the outside.

"Unfortunately, increasing the size was necessary to keep people from getting hurt," he explained.

Walker said he has spent many hours at the site since Thursday, and containing the fire could take some time.

"Our definition of containment is that we can turn our backs on it, and everything will be OK," he said. "That's not going to happen in a couple of days."

He added if the area gets a lot of rain, the fire could be extinguished by the end of next week, but without a significant amount of rain, it could be a month before the blaze is fully contained.

What's being done to control the blaze?

Around noon Sunday, the forest service announced its Red Incident Management Team had assumed command of the wildfire.

A release, posted on the N.C. Forest Service’s website, stated that firefighters would transition from “active firing operations” to “mopping up the fire’s edge.”

“Now that we’ve completed firing operations, our main objective is to keep the fire in the block of the Green Swamp Nature Preserve. If we can accomplish that, then we will be able to put this wildfire to rest,” said North Carolina Forest Service Red Team Incident Commander Greg Smith.

Mike Malcolm, an N.C. Forest Service operations section chief trainee, provided an update about firefighting efforts in a video posted to the N.C. Forest Service’s Facebook page.

In the video, Malcom noted the Incident Command Team, currently set up at West Brunswick High School in Shallotte, has utilized its heavy equipment “strike teams” and overhead personnel to conduct burn out operations in order to “fight fire with fire.”

He added control lines have been installed to the south and north while also using N.C. 211 to the west. Malcolm said much of the “burn out” was completed using a helicopter dropping air ignition devices because “you can’t really walk in there.”

They will begin “mop up operations” using the N.C. Forest Service’s engines to eliminate hot spots around the perimeter of the fire.

“Going forward, we will be continuing these operations and trying to make sure that we keep this footprint of the fire right here where it’s at,” he added.

Malcolm said the next operations update would be given Monday, June 19.

How does this impact travel?

On Saturday afternoon, the North Carolina Department of Transportation closed N.C. 211 from Little Macedonia Road to Camp Branch Road for the safety of firefighters and travelers. The 8.7-mile stretch of highway will remain closed until further notice.

In the release Sunday, the North Carolina Forest Service advised wildland fire engines and large equipment would continue to be on roads in the fire area, traveling to and from assignments. Drivers are urged to use caution while traveling along N.C. 211 and U.S. 17.

More 'super fog' possible?

Many Brunswick County residents woke up to a thick blanket of “super fog” Sunday morning.

According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the “super fog” occurs when smoke mixes with fog, blanketing an area and creating significant visibility issues.

In its release Sunday, the North Carolina Forest Service said more super fog is possible.

"A weak front will linger in the region through Monday with isolated showers and thunderstorms possible," the release stated. "A sea breeze from the southeast will increase winds in the afternoon and create gusts of 10-15 miles per hour. Rainfall chances increase Tuesday and Wednesday. Lingering smoke may have potential to mix with fog."

How did the fire start?

In a Facebook post, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission stated the fire began as a prescribed burn in Green Swamp Game Land on Tuesday, June 13, and on Wednesday, June 14, some pocosin — an area of boggy wetland shrubs — reignited.

On Thursday afternoon, the N.C. Forest Service announced it was battling a 2,500-acre wildfire off of Pulp Road east of N.C. 211, and at noon Sunday, the fire was estimated to be at 16,000 acres with 0% contained.

There are no injuries reported or structures being threatened.

What are the health impacts?

The N.C. Division of Air Quality has issued a Code Red alert for Brunswick County and a Code Orange alert for inland counties, including Pender.

Code Red on the Air Quality Index indicates the air quality is unhealthy for everyone and all residents should limit prolonged outdoor exposure and exertion.

Code Orange on the Air Quality Index indicates the potential for elevated levels of particle pollution that could impact sensitive populations, including older adults, younger children and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma. These groups may experience health impacts when outdoors for prolonged times during these conditions and are recommended to limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

People unusually sensitive to air pollution may consider limiting their outdoor activities during a Code Yellow alert.

What restrictions are in place?

As of Sunday afternoon, a temporary flight restriction, or TFR, was in place from the surface up to and including 1,500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice.

The NC DEQ Division of Air Quality has issued a prohibition of all burning in Brunswick County, including land clearing, due to the Code Red air quality rating.

And a burn ban has been specifically issued for the unincorporated areas within Brunswick County. All burning within 100 feet of any structure is banned within the unincorporated areas of Brunswick County. An unincorporated area is an area not within a city’s or town’s limits.

The forest service is also reminding residents to keep drones away from the fire. "While drones provide unique opportunities for aerial video and imagery of wildfire activity, they are unauthorized.," the forest service said. "Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts."

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Smoke in Wilmington from Brunswick County wildfire