Update: Highway reopens in Brunswick County as wildfire is contained

Emma Dill, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
A stretch of N.C. 211 remains closed as the N.C. Forest Services works to put out a fire that's spread to nearly 600 acres of swampy land north of Supply.
A stretch of N.C. 211 remains closed as the N.C. Forest Services works to put out a fire that's spread to nearly 600 acres of swampy land north of Supply.

A stretch of N.C. 211 in Brunswick County reopened to traffic Wednesday after being closed due to smoke from a wildfire earlier this week.

The road was closed between Little Macedonia Road N.W. and Camp Branch Road N.W. on Tuesday morning as firefighters worked to contain the fire spreading in a swampy area north of Supply. The road reopened to traffic at 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

As of Wednesday, the fire was 75% contained, according to Philip Jackson, the N.C. Forest Service's public information officer. An initial investigation from N.C. Forest Service determined the fire was started by a lightning strike on Sunday.

More: Fire closes highway in Brunswick County with drivers forced to detour

More: Brush fire causes heavy smoke near Southport, shuts down part of NC 211

More: Blaze engulfs Surf City motel, investigation into cause now underway

As of Wednesday, firefighters from the forest service were facing "challenging circumstances," Jackson said, including high winds and a relatively low humidity. The area's swampy terrain along with heavy underbrush, leaves and other debris have posed other challenges to containing the blaze.

Although Jackson wasn't able to provide the number of forest service personnel involved in fighting the Brunswick County fire, he said responders include a strike team from the New Bern area, tractor plow units, four aircraft, a helicopter and ground crews.

Jackson said the forest service has had issues with people flying drones in the area to take photos or video of the fire.

A stretch of N.C. 211 remains closed as the N.C. Forest Services works to put out a fire that's spread to nearly 600 acres of swampy land north of Supply.
A stretch of N.C. 211 remains closed as the N.C. Forest Services works to put out a fire that's spread to nearly 600 acres of swampy land north of Supply.

Although it can be tempting, Jackson said, he encouraged the public not to fly drones because it hampers the efforts of the forest service and can force them to ground their aerial firefighting efforts.

The fire has not burned or threatened any homes or other structures, Jackson said.

Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Highway 211 in Brunswick County is open after fire