The wildfire that burned more than 62 square miles in eastern North Carolina is completely contained.

But officials said Friday that parts of the Pocosin Lakes
National Wildlife Refuge, where the fire burned, remain unsafe for
the public. The fire began June 1 with a lightning strike on
private land, then burned in and around the refuge.

Refuge manager Howard Phillips said the fire burned ground under
trees, which can cause the trees to fall without warning. Phillips
said that prompted officials to close part of the refuge.

He also said that although the fire is contained, it's not
necessarily extinguished. He said it's possible that rain from
Tropical Storm Hanna will put out whatever underground fire remains
in the organic peat soil.