Fire crews say they continue to make progress battling the Evan Road fire, even though it still could continue to burn to several more weeks.

The fire, which started June 1st from a lightning strike, is now 90% contained. So far some 40,704 acres in Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties have burned.

State foresters say they have now completed all water pumping operations in an attempt to drown out the peat soil that is burning. They plan to hold the water on the land for 2 to 4 weeks to allow it to saturate more of the peat soil.

Without adequate rainfall, fire managers say the fire will continue to smolder deep underground and in locations where water pumping wasn't possible.

Right now 107 people are assisting with fire control efforts.