BRUNSWICK COUNTY — A wildfire that began almost a week ago is slowly being extinguished by the N.C. Forest Service.
The Green Swamp Nature Preserve has been on fire since last Thursday, after a controlled burn conducted by the N.C. Wildlife Commission reignited. As of Wednesday, June 21, it has burned 15,642 acres.
The fire is now 65% contained, which means sections of the fire line are not at risk of escaping the perimeter.
“We’re glad the fire’s containment percentage continues to increase and no accidents or injuries have been reported,” Carmella Stirrat, N.C. Fire Manager with Nature Conservancy said. “Firefighter equipment has been kept out of the interior of the Green Swamp to avoid negative impacts on the rare ecosystem and sensitive plants.”
Recovery is being seen in the grass in the area, according to the N.C. Forest Service.
More than 90 personnel have been on site continuing to patrol the fire’s perimeter, as well as others broken into teams, such as logistics, safety officers, incident commanders and incident management teams.
The preserve was dealt reprieve due to Tuesday night’s rainfall, equaling up to an inch or so. However, the forest service said as ground fire continues to smolder, smoke will be produced.
No structures have been threatened as a result of the wildfire and the air quality in the Brunswick County area remains moderately healthy, according to he N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s air division.
The preserve remains closed until further notice.
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