[Update: The wildfire spread to an estimated 150 or 200 acres throughout Friday evening. By 10:50 p.m. Brunswick County officials reported the fire was fully contained — which doesn’t indicate how much of the fire is extinguished, but that firefighters have successfully created barriers and control lines surrounding the perimeter to prevent growth. Crews will remain on the scene overnight to monitor it, ensuring the fire doesn’t reach businesses or houses. Highway 87 remains closed but Pine Lake Road will be accessible with controlled access to allow motorists to return to residences no longer under a mandatory evacuation. Residents returning home are asked to keep windows and doors closed and all pets inside.]
BRUNSWICK COUNTY — A wildfire that broke out in Boiling Spring Lakes has prompted evacuation orders.
The wildfire began on Friday afternoon on 10 acres between West Boiling Spring and Barclay roads and has grown to 108 acres. Homes nearby were evacuated, with one structure having caught fire but was extinguished.
Both Boiling Spring Lakes and Brunswick County issued a state of emergency.
“Mandatory evacuations are in place for some areas,” according to the City of Boiling Spring Lakes, primarily affecting Pine Lake and Bordeaux roads. Around 8 p.m. residents of Nassau, Queens, Mission, Woodhaven, Greenmoss, and Drayton were instructed to evacuate by the Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department.
Voluntary evacuations are also in effect for surrounding areas.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at South Brunswick High School for residents who want to evacuate or are affected by the fire. The shelter is located at 280 Cougar Rd. and domestic animals must be crated or in a kennel.
Firefighters from Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties, along with multiple municipal fire departments and the NC Forest Service, are on the scene attempting to contain the fire. Dry and windy conditions have added to the threat.
Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Rescue noted the fire “kept jumping lines and threatening structures.” Though no homes have been lost, outbuildings were; several firefighters have been treated on scene for smoke- and heat-related illness.
Motorists are asked to avoid N.C. 87, now closed through Boiling Spring Lakes. Traffic is being diverted down Danford Road. Anyone traveling to Southport, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island are instructed to access U.S. 17 to Old Ocean Highway to Midway Road SE to NC 211. Updates in real-time on road closures can be accessed here.
The City of Boiling Spring Lakes suggests calling 911 if immediate assistance is needed, as crews continue to battle the flames. Emergency notifications from the county and through Boiling Spring Lakes can be signed up for here and a landing page specifically for fire updates can be found here.
According to the DEQ Air Quality Portal, Brunswick County is under a code red air quality alert and New Hanover County is under code orange. They’re in effect through midnight Saturday.
“Webcams in the Wilmington area show a smoky haze as well,” according to the update. “South/southwest winds will likely taper some heading into tonight, but the direction will likely remain persistent with the main smoke plume oriented SSW to NNE.”
Brunswick County anticipates smoky conditions for the next few days
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