The N.C. Forest Service Incident Management Team has prioritized public and firefighter safety in their ongoing efforts to manage the Sunset Road Fire in Brunswick County. The fire, which began on May 2 in Boiling Spring Lakes, currently covers 1,331 acres with a containment level of 56%.
Motorists are advised to remain cautious as wildland fire engines and large equipment continue to operate in the area. Visibility may be reduced during rainfall, further necessitating careful driving.
Crews have made significant progress in addressing persistent hot spots around the fire perimeter. Efforts have been concentrated particularly in the northeast section and southern tip of the fire. “Now’s the time for us to dig in our heels and make sure we get every bit of heat out of this fire,” said Operations Section Chief Trainee Weston Vandenabeele. He noted that incoming rain will aid their efforts.
As of Friday morning, containment remains at 56%, while no homes have been destroyed by the wildfire. The cause is still under investigation.
Weather conditions are expected to change with a sea breeze initiating around noon, likely bringing showers and storms by afternoon. Winds will shift southwest at speeds between 5 to 7 mph later in the day, with gusty winds anticipated near thunderstorms. A cold front could lead to more scattered showers over the weekend.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is enforced from ground level up to 3,000 feet until further notice. Information can be found at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_5540. Flying drones within TFR areas is illegal as it poses risks to pilots and firefighting operations.
