Sunday's Story

As that massive wildfire begins its second week, the size of the fire now tops 50 square miles or 32,556 acres of woods burned.

Even though the fire continued to push north and east into the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, state foresters say they are making progress. So far they have contained 40% of the fire.

To see exactly where the fire is, click on the link above

Bill Swartley with the N.C. Forest Service says crews still need to build or improve another 23 miles of containment lines around the huge fire.

With Sunday weather bringing temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and lower humidity, state foresters say additional significant growth in the fire is anticipated.

The Forest Service says the fire itself could produce a thunderstorm, which may include dry cloud-to-ground lightning, capable of starting new fires.

The fire began last Sunday by a lightning strike as a several hundred acre blaze off Evans Road in Hyde County. Tuesday night strong winds pushed the fire over containment lines and the blaze quadrupled in size. On Wednesday the fire doubled in size and was now in three counties..

Now 250 firefighters are battling the fire in Hyde, Washington and Tyrrell counties. Firefighters are using 2 helicopters, an air tanker, a scout plane, 30 tractor/plow units along with 10 fire engines to fight the fire.

75 homes have been evacuated, but so far none have been damaged as volunteer fire departments continue to protect them from the fire.

At a public meeting Saturday night in Roper, residents were told for at least the next several months they should monitor the fire's smoke, as it may cause serious health risks, especially for the very young, aged, and those with lung or heart disease.

Saturday's Update

As of Saturday afternoon, the Evans Road Fire had grown to 30,809 acres in size.

The fire continues to progress farther east and southeast into the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

Field observers noted the fire making short runs and also observed torching and short-range spotting.

The fire is now 40% contained; however, 25 miles of containment lines still need to be constructed or improved.

Local fire departments and volunteer fire departments continue to support structure protection.

The Phelps Lake water pumping operation to extinguish smoldering ground fires is well underway and will soon be a 24/7 operation.

With 210 personnel now assigned to the incident, firefighting suppression costs are estimated to be $673,686.

They're also working with landowners to burn off previously-harvested wheat fields located adjacent to the fire perimeter.

Farmers who have ripe wheat crops in the field near the wildfire have a close eye on the wind and weather.

Local farmer, Randy Huber, has not only wheat, but cotton crops backed up against the fire line. And with more than 700 acres of crops in jeopardy-- it could be tens of thousand of dollars in losses.

Friday's Story

Firefighters say Highway 94 is now the new stopping point for the massive Evans Road fire that's burning out of control in three counties.

The fire, burning since Sunday, has mushroomed to just under 29,000 acres.

Governor Mike Easley Friday declared a state of emergency to help fight the wildfire.

The executive order directs all state and local agencies to deploy necessary resources and personnel to protect the public.

On Friday, there were 160 firefighters on the ground working to contain the blaze from state and local agencies. In addition, there is one large "water bomber" air tanker and three single-engine tanker planes along with three helicopters from federal and state sources to fight the blaze.

Hannah Thompson, a public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources says 75 homes and 20 outbuildings have so far been threatened by the fire. Fortunately no structures have been destroyed.

Thompson says their plan is to keep the fire east of Evans Road, south of the agriculture fields & Lake Phelps, west of Highway 94, and north of New Lake Road.

Firefighters had hoped to contain the fire at an access road on Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. But with Highway 94 the new stopping point, that means the blaze will have room to double in size and could threaten more homes.

45 square miles have burned. The fire is still 30-percent contained.

There are reports smoke from the fire has made its way to Richmond, some 200 miles from the fire. WWBT, the NBC station there reports numerous residents have called local fire departments after smelling smoke, believing there was a fire in their area.

The state D.O.T. reminds motorists that highways through the area, particularly U.S. 64, U.S. 264, N.C. 45, N.C. 94 and N.C. 99, can be affected by heavy smoke, which is limiting visibility.

Thursday's Update

Hyde County ordered the evacuation of 40 homes Thursday morning because the Evans Road fire restarted at its point of origin.

Hyde County manager Carl Classen says Waterway Landing, New Lake Rd, Gall Road were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Classen says the evacuation is being done as a precautionary measure due to limited escape routes in that area. He said a wind change has the fire now going in a new direction.

A shelter for those evacuees has now been set up at the Belhaven fire department. The Division of Forest Resources says there will also be a trailer at that shelter set up for evacuees dogs and cats.

Washington County manager David Peoples says mandatory evacuations remain in effect for his county. Peoples says there is also an outdoor burning ban in effect for Hyde, Washington, Tyrrell and Beaufort Counties.

Peoples says winds are expected to shift this weekend and that could bring about the closure of many roads in the three county area.

The massive fire burning has now consumed more than 28,000 acres of forest land in three Eastern Carolina counties.

Animals are fleeing the flames. (See the wildfire animal video including a black bear and snake at top of page.)

Bill Swartley with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources says the fire is now burning in Hyde, Washington and Tyrrell counties.

Wednesday strong 15 mile per hour winds pushed the out of control fire to the northeast. Swartley says crews are hoping to hold the fire on Western Road today, but if it gets past there it could likely spread to Highway 94.

Swartley says this is a major fire for the state, something they see only once every ten years or so.

The fire started Sunday, possibly by a lightning strike and quadrupled in size Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Swartley says right now they have the fire 30% contained, and fire crews have another 10 miles of containment lines to build.

Today the winds are expected to be only 5-10 miles per hour, but could be shifting. That shift could cause problems for crews as they then have to move resources with the changing winds.

Swartley says they may not be challenged so much by the wind today, but by the fire making up its mind where it wants to go.

States of emergency are still in force for residents of Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

So far no homes have been destroyed, but three dozen homes around Lake Phelps were evacuated Tuesday night as the fire quickly advanced toward them.

Wednesday's Story

A massive fire that started Sunday in Hyde County grew overnight to engulf some 9,500 acres of woods in two counties.

The fire is so large that it has created its own weather system, even causing lightning strikes.

Overnight there were mandatory evacuations in parts of Washington County after the flames jumped containment lines.

Now neighboring Tyrrell County is asking for homeowners to voluntarily leave their homes. The county says there is a real possibility those living on Newlands Road in the Cross Landing area and Frying Pan Road south to the Second Gum Neck Road may be forced to leave as the fire approaches their homes.

A state of emergency has been declared in Hyde, Tyrrell & Washington counties because of the fire and its smoke.

The Division of Forest Services says ash is falling some two to three miles ahead of the fire and the smoke column is rising 45,000 feet into the air.

Without significant rainfall, Hyde County's emergency management director says smoke from the huge fire could last in excess of two months. Ash from the fire is now falling on vehicles 75 miles away.

Division of Forest Services public information officer Ned Berg tells WITN News that the fire jumped lines around 6:00 p.m. Tuesday night and headed toward Lake Phelps. Lightning started the fire on Sunday.

Fire crews are "backburning" at Evans Road near Lake Phelps to try to contain the fire.

Washington County manager David Peoples said 39 homes were in danger on Newland Road and Shore Drive in the southern portion of Lake Phelps.

A change in the wind direction may have saved those homes, Peoples said Wednesday morning. The fire made it to Lake Phelps Tuesday night. Peoples said the mile-wide fire was moving fast, at a rate of one mile per hour Tuesday night.

N.C. Division of Forest Services spokesman Brian Haines tells WITN News that the fire last night jumped containment lines and "made a five mile run". The fire has also now spread into the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and heading into Tyrrell County.

Haines says they have 100 firefighters battling the blaze, brought in from across the state. The U.S. Forest Service is sending in an air tanker capable of depositing about 2,000 gallons of flame retardant per drop on the fire.

The smoke has prompted the closing of the campground at Pettigrew State Park until further notice. The state has also closed park accesses on the western and southern shores of Lake Phelps. Parks officials are encouraging all nonessential visitors to stay out of the area due to the smoke-related concerns, increased fire traffic and decreased visibility.

Currituck County officials warned those on the Outer Banks that smoke from the fire could impact them. Citizens are advised to be cautious when outdoors, and remain indoors if having difficulty breathing.

Tuesday's Update

The Weather Service says the smoke from the fire near Ponzer will reduce visibilities for parts of Hyde, Washington, and Tyrrell counties.

Hazardous driving conditions are likely in the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refgue, and north to Roper, Columbia and possibily as far east to the Alligator River Bridge.

The weather services says drivers in these areas overnight and early Wednesday morning are urged to be alert for sudden reduced visibilities.

Smoke from the wildfire delayed the opening of schools in neighboring Washington County this morning, while the NBC station in Portsmouth says the smoke is making its way into Suffolk County, Virginia. Smoke from the fire is also becoming an issue in Chowan County.

The Evans Road fire near Ponzer has been burning since a lightning strike Sunday afternoon ignited the woods fire.

Ned Berg with the N.C. Division of Forest Services says the fire still stands at 1700 acres and they now have containment lines all around the fire, but the
fire is far from being under control.

Berg says today they will work to widen the containment lines because windy weather predicted tomorrow could cause the fire to jump those lines.

So far no homes or structures have been lost, but one structure is threatened and fire crews have plowed around that to keep the fire away.

Berg says two firefighters have been injured battling the huge fire, both for heat related injuries.

Monday's Story

A massive forest in Hyde County continues to burn out of control, tripling in size since Sunday afternoon.

Hyde County Emergency Management say the Evans Road fire has now consumed 1700 acres of woods. Only one non-residential structure has been threatened so far, while a few others are in close proximity.

The fire is about 4 miles northeast of Ponzer and efforts to contain it have been hampered by changing winds.

Authorities believe lightning started the fire Sunday shortly after noon and today flames could be seen easily topping 60-foot pine trees.

Division of Forest Services spokesman Brian Haines says crews have managed to contain about 50% of the fire so far. Forest Services crews from across Eastern Carolina have converged to Ponzer to help fight the fire.

One Forest Services firefighter was hospitalized overnight and there are reports of another possible injury today.

So far, 8 tractors are fighting the fire, along with 2 planes and one helicopter. An additional 6 tractors are en route to the fire scene and a statewide team has been placed on alert for possible backup.

Residents of the Ponzer area should expect dense smoke for an extended period. The NC Department of Transportation is also putting up warning signs on highways to alert drivers to the dense smoke.